Senator Bam Aquino praised the Province of Iloilo for its groundbreaking efforts to strengthen basic education during a courtesy visit with Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. this afternoon.
The senator, who now chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, was briefed on Iloilo’s flagship BES Probins (Bulig Eskwela) sang Probinsya Program initiative designed to create an effective, relevant, and transformative educational system in Iloilo.
Third District Board Member Jason Gonzales and Provincial Administrator Raul Banias presented key results of the province’s education strategies, notably the BES Basa and Proof of Concept (POC) Initiative which dramatically increased learners’ reading readiness levels within just a year of implementation.
Governor Defensor also walked the senator through the province’s infrastructure investments in education ranging from Teen Centers for youth development, Madrasah and School of Living Tradition facilities for inclusive cultural learning, to tent classrooms that ensure education continuity in times of disaster.
Senator Aquino expressed his admiration for Iloilo’s learner-first approach and pledged to support the province in advancing education reforms at the national level.
Also present in the meeting were 4th District Board member Rolando Distura, Third District Board Member Mark Palabrica, and New Lucena Mayor Carl Vincent Mondejar.
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