“Many people cannot go to school even if there are schools in their areas. They are the ones we need to reach out,” Kuya Daniel Razon explained during the launch of his latest project: the P13-million mobile school project.

The state-of-the-art mobile school project called Dunong-Gulong of ALS was formally launched when UNTV-BMPI Chairman and CEO Daniel Razon and Education Secretary Armin Luistro signed the memorandum of agreement last November 27, 2010. ALS stands for Alternative Learning System. A crowd of hundreds of thousands worldwide witnessed the MOA signing at the ADD Convention Center in Apalit, Pampanga.

According to Sec. Luistro, this is the first and only mobile school project in the Philippines, adding that the support and investment by UNTV ang Ang Dating Daan were overwhelming.

UNTV, the only public service channel in the country, is home to numerous public care initiatives such as free medical and legal assistance. Ang Dating Daan, the radio and television program hosted by Bro. Eli Soriano is one of the most fervent supporters of such humanitarian works.  Soriano is Presiding Minister to the Members Church of God International (MCGI). Meanwhile, Razon is CEO of Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International (BMPI), the current operator of UNTV.  Incidentally, he is also the Vice-Presiding Minister to MCGI.

“This project with the Department of Education is for our continued public service to the needy,” Mr. Razon explained. Known as Mr. Public Service in Philippine television, Kuya Daniel pioneered numerous social services through UNTV, where he is also host of numerous public affairs programs. Kuya Daniel is celebrating his 27th year of service to God and humanity in November 28.

As an alternative learning system (ALS), the mobile school will augment the educational needs of the out-of-school youth, adult learners, indigenous people, and those with physical disabilities. Completion of the program will allow enrollees to eventually get formal education, similar to the acceleration program by the Education Department.

The project stemmed from a 30-minute talk when Secretary Luistro guested in Get It Straight with Daniel Razon, a segment of Kuya Daniel’s morning magazine show, Good Morning Kuya. During the discussion, Luistro laid down the challenges in pursuing literacy-based projects in his Department where he had never expected to receive an immediate solution.

As Luistro recalled, “Hindi ko po alam na sa loob lamang ng 30 minuto na yun ay hindi lamang siya makikinig sa problema ng departamento…hindi po natapos ang 30 minuto napag-usapan na namin ni Kuya Daniel ang isang solusyon na maaaring gampanan ng UNTV.(I never thought that within that 30 minutes, Kuya Daniel will not only listen to the problems of our department…Before the 30-minute ended, we have already agreed for a solution where UNTV can partake).”

“At ang salita ay naging gawa (And words became actions),” described Luistro upon seeing the realization of the project.

He expressed his gratitude to Kuya Daniel and to Ang Dating Daan, being the first non-government entities to take action in providing solution to the challenges of education system in the Philippines.

As agreed, DepEd will provide the learning facilitators and modules. Meanwhile, UNTV and Ang Dating Daan will shoulder all the other operation’s expenses including bus maintenance and learning facilities. The Department of Energy also expressed commitment to the project by providing generator and solar panels for backup support in view of non-availability of power supply in remote provinces.

For its part, Ang Dating Daan through Bro. Eli Soriano, and UNTV donated the two brand new buses for the project. The two mobile school units – equipped with audio-video amenities, mini-library, chairs and tables, a sleeping quarter, and a toilet – were specifically designed to deliver utmost educational services. Each mobile school unit costs P6.5 million.

This initiative aims to reach the remotest, poorest, and education-deprived regions of the country. Dunong-Gulong will roam from one area to another after every one month. Initially, mobile school bus will roam the Masbate and Quezon provinces. (Written by Ana Hazel Chavez)