Legacion’s push for inclusive education

By Jason B. Neola

NAGA Mayor Nelson Legacion has set his sights on addressing the pressing need for educational facilities in underserved communities, opting to provide solutions even for the demands of parents living in the neighboring municipalities of the city. “If I only had the mandate to deliver the school buildings they need, I would have done it already for that is part of my passion for the little ones,” he said.

In his city, the mayor successfully established 7 public elementary and secondary schools and constructed a 2-storey-4-classroom school building in Del Rosario High School in just over two years:

1. Sta Cruz National High School (with 3 school buildings) 2-storey 6-classroom, 2-storey 8-classroom and another 2-storey 8-classroom school building

2. San Isidro National High School 2-storey 4-classroom, and 2-storey 6-classroom school building

3. Balatas National High School 2-storey 8 classroom, and 3- storey 12 classroom school building

4. Yabu Elementary School 2-storey 4-classroom, and 2-storey 4-classroom school building

5. Mabolo National High School 2-storey 6-classroom school building

6. A 2-storey 4-classroom school building at the Del Rosario National High Scool

7. Salunguigui Elem. School 2-storey 8-classroom school building, and;

8. Salunguigui National High School 2-storey 6-classroom school building

As chairman of the Metro Naga Development Council (MNDC), Legacion is also working on his plan for the municipalities to establish additional public schools in response to reports of barangays that have long struggled with the absence of such learning facilities.

Among the areas identified are the barangays of Pinada, Balombon, and Tomagodtod in Calabanga. In these areas, students must walk around 10 kilometers to reach the nearest public elementary and secondary school in Barangay Manguiring, which is situated along the highway.

The long trek has discouraged many young individuals from pursuing their education. “They should not be deprived of their rights to learn,” Legacion said, expressing compassion and dismay over the situation. He lamented the fact that many children have been forced to abandon their dreams of completing their education due to the lack of accessible schools.

Legacion underscored that the plight of these students is not unique to Calabanga. Similar challenges have been reported from other towns across the district. Several barangays lack not only secondary schools but also elementary schools, depriving many children of their basic right to education.

To address this, Legacion proposed clustering the barangays without public schools and identifying strategic sites where the needed could be established. He believes this approach would maximize resources and ensure that more children can access quality education close to their homes.

A lawyer by profession and an advocate for education, Legacion’s commitment to this cause stems from his personal experiences. Growing up in the remote town of Buhi, he too faced challenges in accessing education. This background fuels his resolve to create better opportunities for the youth in underserved areas.

His boyhood experience is also the reason also why he spearheaded the establishment of more schools and classrooms in the city. This background fuels his resolve to create better opportunities for the tots in underserved areas.

Beyond elementary and secondary education, Legacion also highlighted the need for colleges in municipalities. For instance, he noted that the municipality of Ocampo lacks a community college, forcing students to travel to institutions like the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) in Pili or the Baao Community College.

Similarly, while Calabanga is home to CBSUA’s Calabanga campus, students there often have limited course options. “Around 70 to 80 percent of the students are taking courses they do not want,” Legacion shared. He advocates for the establishment of additional colleges in Calabanga to offer different programs tailored to students’ interests and aspirations.

Legacion’s vision for education aligns with his broader goal of inclusive growth for Camarines Sur. By addressing the lack of schools and expanding opportunities for higher education, he hopes to empower communities and pave the way for a brighter future for the province, especially the 3rd district of Camarines Sur.

As the May 2025 elections approach, Legacion’s proactive stance on education could resonate strongly with electorates who share his belief that every child deserves access to quality education, regardless of their location or circumstances.