New DPWH bypass road transforms DepEd’s Last Mile Schools in Bulacan

One of the so-called Last Mile Schools in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan. —Photo from the Department of Education

MANILA, Philippines — The completion of the 67.93-kilometer Doña Remedios Trinidad-Dingalan Bypass Road finally resolved the chronic hurdles that students and teachers have to face to reach so-called Last Mile Schools in Bulacan, according to a statement issued by the Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday.

The bypass road, which was built by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), now serves as a critical link for remote Last Mile Schools, including Talamsi I and Talamsi II Elementary Schools in the municipality of Doña Remedios Trinidad.

Impassable muddy paths used to hinder basic education in this mountainous municipality. What should have been a short trip often turned into an exhausting trek, prolonging the daily commute of learners and teachers just to reach their classrooms.

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DepEd Central Office officials visited the schools on Thursday to inspect the new infrastructure.

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Education Secretary Sonny Angara underscored that bridging physical access gaps is critical to achieving equity across the country’s most isolated campuses.

“This project shows that, under the administration of President [Ferdinand] Bongbong Marcos [Jr.], we not only end physical isolation but also put an end to the lack of opportunities for education in the remotest mountains,” Angara said in Filipino.

“With the cooperation between DepEd and DPWH in ensuring safe roads and modern classrooms, we are making sure that foundational and quality education will be within reach of each child in our Last Mile Schools,” he added.

Beyond roads

The infrastructure intervention extended beyond roads, the DepEd statement pointed out.

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Talamsi II Elementary School transitioned from operating in two old classrooms and makeshift spaces for multigrade classes to utilizing a new, DPWH-built four-classroom building fully equipped with a solar energy system, a water system, and a satellite internet connection.

School head Jeffrey Dote recalled: “I used to experience staying in at school and falling on the road because it was muddy. But now the new road is such a big help because we can arrive here safely and quickly.”

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Teacher Macmartin Valiente, who has taught at the school since 2018, recalled when students had to walk for hours or navigate the mountains on horses or carabaos, while teachers frequently met with accidents riding motorcycles through the mud.

“It’s a big improvement. Because of the new road, the children can reach school faster because they can ride motorcycles and be on time,” Valiente said.

Parent Risa Mitra noted how daily travel to and from the school dropped from an exhausting ordeal to a 30-minute trip.

“It used to be muddy, and we wasted all our time on the road. But now it’s much more comfortable for our three children,” Mitra said.

Meanwhile, Talamsi I Elementary School Head Arfel Alvaro shared that before the bypass road, muddy paths made school access risky for learners.

“Now, they can at least get to work because the road has made it accessible, and they have their own motorcycles,” he said.

Multigrade teacher Joel Dela Cruz, who has dedicated 24 years to the school, said educators could now easily commute daily while learners no longer arrive at school covered in mud.

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“Now it’s more comfortable because we can go home on motorcycles and the children will no longer reach school muddy,” he said. /atm