DepEd Last Mile Schools Program marks milestone with first-ever completed school in Eastern Visayas

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The Department of Education (DepEd) unveiled its first-ever completed Last Mile School in Eastern Visayas during a turnover ceremony in Calbiga, Samar last February 23, 2022.

 

“This is only the first step to the many developments under the Public Schools of the Future framework. We will continue to close the gap between the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas to their urban center counterparts in providing unhampered and equal access to education,” Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.

 

Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del B. Pascua stressed that funding must be allocated to Last Mile Schools like Patong National High School (PNHS), which has classrooms and roofs made of sala-sala, bamboo, sawali, nipa, and pan-aw, and have unpaved flooring.

 

“Hindi lang tayo nagtatayo ng building kundi kinukompleto rin natin ang package. Itatayo natin ang building, lalagyan natin ng laman tulad ng furniture, sistema para sa solar power at tubig. Ito ang essential elements of a last mile school,” Undersecretary Pascua said.

 

PNHS School Head Apolinario Nacario mentioned the program’s important contribution, especially to those who belong to low-income families.

 

“Hindi na mahihirapan ang mga pamilya sa paggastos ng malaki para sa pamasahe ng kanilang anak papunta ng bayan. Ito rin kasi ay nasa sentro ng limang paaralan ng elementarya,” Nacario noted.

 

Meanwhile, Bonga National High School (BNHS) Principal Wilma Montejo shared the status of the undergoing construction of one concrete school building with four classrooms to replace their six makeshift classrooms.

 

“Gawa na halos lahat. Kinakailangan na lang ay ang system na makakapag-generate ng kuryente mula sa solar power at ang pasilidad sa paghuhugas ng kamay. By March. sana ay matapos ito para makapag-open na kami ng face-to-face classes," Montejo said.

 

DepEd field officers’ latest assessments revealed that the figure has risen to 9,225, which is currently equivalent to 19.4% of all public schools.

 

“’Yan ang dapat bigyan natin ng focus kung paano natin gagawing kasing ganda ang mga last mile schools na narito ng mga eskuwelahan sa siyudad. Hopefully, the next administration will continue ang ganito klase ng priority,” Usec. Pascua said.

 

Led by Usec. Pascua, the Office of the Undersecretary for Administration visited Samar and Leyte from February 23 to 25 to assess the completeness of newly-constructed and restored buildings, including those undergoing construction.

 

Statement on the Enactment of RA 11648

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Save the Children Philippines lauds the enactment of Republic Act 11648 or the Act Raising the Age of Sexual Consent, which increases the age of statutory rape from 12 to 16. This recognizes children’s right to and need for protection from sexual abuse and exploitation.

According to the country’s National Baseline Study on Violence against Children (Council for the Welfare of Children, 2016), 1 out of 4 Filipino children experience some form of sexual violence with children aged 13-17 experiencing the most sexual violence. Majority of the victims of rape are children aged 13-15 according to the Philippine Commission on Women. By raising the age of sexual consent, we are casting a wider net to protect more children from being sexually abused and exploited, especially by adults.

With the passage of this law, the Philippines as State Party complies with the recommendations of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) to increase the age of sexual consent, and thereby, addressing the limitation of the Anti-Rape Law of 1997 in addressing statutory rape.

Save the Children, however, recognizes that the passage of this law is just the beginning of a stronger advocacy for the protection of children from all forms of violence. We call on the Philippine government for stronger implementation of all child protection related laws and policies, particularly at the community level. This will help to ensure that violence against children is prevented and properly addressed should this happen. This can start by ensuring that all local government officials and other stakeholders understand these laws and policies, and what their roles and responsibilities are in implementing these so they can fulfill their obligations to protect all children in their communities. These laws and policies should also be translated into actual child protection related programs, projects, and activities that are included in local development plans and budgets. These should particularly include investments in prevention activities, readily-available and accessible services, and adequate and capacitated human resources to deliver the services.

Save the Children Philippines Chief Executive Officer, Atty. Alberto Muyot said:

“While we celebrate the enactment of RA 11648, we enjoin families and all sectors of society to remain vigilant and continue to work together to protect children from all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation.”

SM Knows What Women Want

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Throughout the whole month of March, women take center stage at SM Supermalls. For inspiring us with their voice, their courage in everything they do, SM Supermalls salutes all Women of The World by giving them what their hearts desire most.



The Womenpreneur Market



From comfort food and beauty cosmetics to active lifestyle and more. Great finds that women love are on sale at the Womenpreneur Market, a gathering of pop ups of small and medium business endeavors for women, by women. Presented in partnership with various SM tenants, affiliates and women’s partner organizations. The Womenpreneur Market is open from March 1 to March 15.



Women at Home



The Home Edit Fair for Women opens a world of hobbies that women love to indulge in. Interior designing, gardening, baking, art and other ways of sprucing up the home have taken the fancy of today’s women. An inviting and charming home for her family and guests is in every woman’s bucket list. The Home Edit Fair is open from March 16 to March 31.



Women’s Wellness and Wednesday Sale



To be pampered from head to foot is an offer no woman can refuse. To avail of the offer at discounted prices makes it even more irresistible. For the whole month of March, women can avail of great deals from wellness salons at SM Supermalls, from facials, hair and body treatments to nail care and massage. Women’s Wellness is on from March 1 to March 31.



The Wednesday Sale is a weekly offering of special deals exclusively for women. Shopping on Wednesdays has become even more tempting for her at SM Supermalls. Catch the sale every Wednesday of the month: March 2,9, 16, 23, and 30



Women Who Lunch



From dining deals to specially prepared dishes and free drinks, women are in for some flavorful treats this month. Moms, Titas, Mars, Lolas, Sis and girlfriends may fulfill their cravings at participating restaurants and food outlets that are whipping up delicious offers exclusively for women. From March 1 to March 31.



Women’s month at SM Supermalls began with a Summit on Women Empowerment for a Sustainable Tomorrow entitled, Women Now and The Future that took place last March 8, in partnership with UN Women, Spark Philippines, Connected Women, and Girl Scouts of The Philippines. The hybrid summit focuses on womenpreneur mentorship with women in business such as, Rissa Mananquil- Trillo, Krie Lopez, Gina Romero and Jammy San Juan-Magsino, as well as empowering the next generation women with Antoinette Taus, Sam Tamayo, Mariane Rosario and Nina Lim-Yuson of Girl Scouts of the Philippines. Hosted by Karen Davila with keynote speech from Steven Tan, live at SM Megamall and the @smsupermalls Facebook page.



Women’s World, a celebration of Women’s month at SM Supermalls, aims to make every woman’s shopping experience more special and meaningful. Because at SM Supermalls, we know what she wants and what she deserves. Visit www.smdeals.com to see all our treats just for you. #WomenFeelAweSM







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