SAN JOSE, Antique – Deputy speaker Loren Legarda has filed 19 local bills seeking to convert and establish public schools to address the need for better access to quality primary and secondary education for school children in the province.
“Let not one child be deprived of the opportunity to learn and be taught so he or she can have a better and brighter future. If the proximity becomes a hindrance for a child to go to school, then let’s bring the school closer to where the students are,” said Legarda.
The lady solon added that having easier access to education gives students no reason to stop going to school.
“With this, I hope to further bring down the number of out-of-school youth as well as to improve the quality of education,” she said.
Legarda underscored the need to invest on education to lessen illiteracy and alleviate poverty in the province.
“Providing access to quality education is one of the best investments we can make to lessen illiteracy and alleviate poverty,” she said.
Among the elementary schools endorsed for conversion to integrated schools are Igsoro Elementary School in the Municipality of Bugasong; Lupaan and Santiago Elementary Schools in the Municipality of Laua-an; Pucio Elementary School in the Municipality of Libertad; Bacalan Elementary School in the Municipality of Sebaste; Manlacbo Elementary School in the Municipality of Valderrama; and Capoyuan Elementary School in the Municipality of Barbaza.
Meanwhile, the establishment of elementary schools was likewise proposed under the bills recently filed in the following barangays:
* Tica in Bugasong
* Leon, Tigunhao, San Ramon, and Virginia in Laua-an;
* Codiong and Tinindugan in Libertad
* Igmasandig, Cananghan and Cansilayan in Valderrama
* Mayabay in Barbaza
* San Isidro in Tibiao
Meanwhile, Legarda also filed House Bill No. 5115, which seeks the establishment of a satellite branch of the Land Transportation Office in the municipality of Pandan to bring services closer to the Antiqueños./PN