Senator Bam Aquino hails new law expanding education access in remote communities

Senator Bam Aquino welcomed the signing into law of a measure aimed at making quality education more accessible to children living in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA), saying it will help remove the obstacles that many students face just to attend school.

Aquino, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, served as the principal sponsor and co-author of Republic Act No. 12321, or the Last Mile and GIDA Schools Act, which was recently signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The measure marks Aquino's first enacted law since returning to the Senate in 2025.

Aquino described the law as a significant milestone in ensuring that no Filipino child is denied an education because of where they live.

“Ang pagsasabatas nito ay isang mahalagang hakbang para matiyak na walang magiging hadlang sa bawat batang Pilipino na makapag-aral, kahit saan man siyang dako ng Pilipinas,” Aquino said.

He said the measure is intended to spare students in remote communities from making dangerous and exhausting journeys to school, including crossing rivers, walking for several kilometers under the scorching sun, and passing through dilapidated bridges.

“Sa tulong nito, umaasa tayong matutuldukan na ang mga sitwasyon na kailangang lumusong sa ilog, maglakad ng ilang kilometro sa gitna ng init, at tumawid sa mga sira-sirang tulay ang ating mga estudyante bago makarating sa paaralan,” he added.

The new law sets accessibility standards requiring schools to be located within a three-kilometer walking distance from learners or to provide safe public transportation when that is not possible. It also directs the government to improve school infrastructure by building adequate classrooms and ensuring schools have access to roads, electricity, water, and internet connectivity through better coordination among government agencies.

In addition, the measure strengthens support for teachers assigned to far-flung communities by providing additional compensation and allowances, transportation and housing assistance, and continuing professional development opportunities aimed at improving teacher retention.

To encourage community-based education, the law also gives hiring priority to qualified teachers and school personnel who live in, are willing to relocate to, or have cultural ties with GIDA communities, enabling them to better connect with students and local residents.