Iloilo city: The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Iloilo has embarked on an initiative to provide motorcycles and motorboats to schools located in remote and island barangays to enhance their mobility. The program aims to address the challenges faced by teachers in far-flung areas by offering them free transportation options.

According to Philippines News Agency, Division Superintendent Ernesto Servillon Jr. explained that the initiative was born out of the high costs and risks associated with renting bancas for island travel. During his visits to these schools, he recognized the need for a sustainable transportation solution that could support teachers economically and improve their efficiency in fulfilling their responsibilities.

The initiative began with the acquisition of five motorcycles, donated by private partners. The first unit, provided by City Savings Bank, was allocated to a school cluster in Alimodian town. The remaining motorcycles are expected to arrive this month and will be distributed across the other four congressional districts. Servillon expressed his long-term goal of providing one motorcycle per school, with maintenance costs to be covered by local government units or through school operating budgets.

In addition to motorcycles, Servillon is working with a private foundation to secure motorboats for schools situated on islands. Although there have been delays due to the costs involved-a motor banca accommodating 20 people costs around PHP400,000-plans are in place to allocate the first motorboat to the largest island school, with more than 30 schools in island municipalities like Carles, Concepcion, Estancia, and Ajuy expected to benefit. The motor bancas will also be available for student use during mainland activities, alleviating financial burdens on parents. Servillon hopes to deploy the first motor banca within the current school year.