QUEZON CITY (PIA) – The Department of Education (DepEd) through the Literacy Coordinating Council recognized the best literary practices of local government units (LGU) and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) by bestowing them distinct honors during the National Literacy Awards (NLA) on Thursday, December 1, in Mandaluyong City.
In her video message, Vice President and Secretary of the Department of Education Hon. Sara Z. Duterte believes that such gatherings bring inspiration as outstanding LGUs and NGOs are recognized for their significant contributions to national investments in literacy.
“As we continue to face the new challenges of our ever-changing society, how meaningful it is that we remain committed and steadfast in bringing to the poor the importance of a literate society. Highly needed as one of the ways to free the Filipino people from socio-economic constraints and allow them to become assets to nation building,” VP Duterte said.
She highlighted how the victory of this year’s awardees is also a testament to the hard work and commitment of our country’s literacy advocates and allies. She said this is a manifestation of the collective efforts to promote literacy from the grassroots level and across our institutions as a nationwide endeavor.
She hopes that the legacy of the awardees would inspire more involvement and collaboration amongst various circles to build an informed, literate and progressive nation.
According to DepEd Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Epimaco V. Densing III, based on the statistics of PSA, among Filipinos between 10 to 65 years old, 91% are within functional literacy. This translates to 73 million Filipinos who are within the level of what is considered functional literacy. However, there are still six (6) million Filipinos who are outside being functionally literate. Undersecretary Densing said this is very important if the country wants to be competitive in the global working environment.
“When we say functional literate, this is the ability to read and write, for us to be able to function in daily lives and have economic activities. The LCC is what we need right now to address the challenges we have right now in the education sector,” the undersecretary added.
“For the LGUs and NGOs, you are very critical in reversing the declining trend of Philippine education. If we really want to reverse the declining trend of Philippine education, all of you are needed to be there. We have to hold hands. All hands on deck,” he said.
Meanwhile, School Division Superintendent Dr. Romela M. Cruz said, “I am hopeful that one day we will achieve a world where literacy awareness is generalized to counteract illiteracy through implementing, sustaining, and developing literacy programs for everyone.”
Included as one of the speakers, Department of Education NCR Regional Director Wilfredo E. Cabral believes that “Making the child literate can make him/her out of poverty as they grow old. Education is still the best investment.”
Part of the program is the sharing of best practices in literacy from Special Award of Excellence in Literacy awardees: Dr. Ephraim L. Pitogo, President of SULADS Incorporated; Ramil B. Ceralbo, Sangguniang Bayan Secretary Municipal Literacy Coordinator Municipality of Cuyo Palawan; Balanga City Mayor Francis S. Garcia.
A message of support was given by Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation Inc. First Vice President and Group Head Jonathan D. Batangan said, “Today we celebrate the power of education and its undeniable impact on the lives of many Filipinos in particular the NLA underscores the importance of literacy in empowering the Filipinos and in nation building.”
The announcement of winners followed shortly after the messages of inspiration and support.
The 2022 NLA winners are as follows:
Category: Oustanding Literacy Program
1st Place:
Sustainable Literacy and Livelihood Program (SLLP)
Region 1
Kasama Kita sa Barangay Foundation, Inc.
2nd Place:
Bukas Kaalaman Program: Pagbasa at Pag-unawa Para sa Kaalaman at Kinabukasan
Region XII
Conrado & Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc. (CLAFI)
3rd Place:
Indigenous Peoples Legal Empowerment and Advancement Project (IPs LEAP)
Region XIII
FSUU-Urian Legal Assistance Program (ULAP)
4th Place:
Project ExCEED (Extending Opportunities for the Community Through Empowerment and Education)
Region III
ASKI Skills and Knowledge Institute, Inc.
5th Place:
Night School Program
Region X
Xavier University
Category: 4th to 6th CLASS MUNICIPALITY
1st Place:
Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte
Region X
Mayor: Hon. Rommel Arnado
2nd Place:
Natividad, Pangasinan
Region 1
Mayor: Rosita G. Rafael
3rd Place:
Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur
Region IX
Mayor: Ruel Molina
4th Place:
San Isidro, Davao del Norte
Region XI
Mayor: Hon. Silvano Gaje
5th Place:
Pakil, Laguna
Region IV-A
Mayor: Hon. Vincent L. Soriano
CATEGORY: HIGHLY URBANIZED CITY
1st Place:
Butuan City
Region XIII
Mayor: Ronnie Vicente Lagnada
2nd Place:
Pasay City
NCR
Hon. Imelda Gallardo Calixto-Rubiano
3rd Place:
Region VI
Iloilo City
Mayor: Hon. Jerry P. Treñas
CATEGORY: 1st to 3rd CLASS MUNICIPALITY
1st Place:
Bacnotan, La Union
Region 1
Mayor: Hon. Divina C. Fontanilla, MPH, CSEE
2nd Place:
Calaca, Batangas
Region 4-A
Mayor: Sofronio Leonardo C. Ona, Jr.
3rd Place:
Malungon, Sarangani
Region 12
Mayor: Hon. Maria Theresa Constantino
4th Place:
Goa, Camarines Sur
Region 5
Mayor: Hon. Marcel Salazar Pan
5th Place:
Talavera, Nueva
Region 3
Mayor: Hon. Nerito S. Santos Jr.
CATEGORY: INDEPENDENT/INDEPENDENT COMPONENT CITY
1st Place:
Sorsogon City, Sorsogon
Region V
Mayor: Hon. Ma. Ester E. Hamor
2nd Place:
Panabo City, Davao del Norte
Region XI
Mayor: Hon. Jose E. Relampagos
3rd Place:
Santiago City, Isabela
Region II
Mayor: Atty. Alyssa Sheena P. Tan
4th Place:
Alaminos City, Pangasinan
Region I
Mayor: Hon. Arth Bryan C. Celeste
5th Place:
Malolos City, Bulacan
Region III
Mayor: Hon. Christian D. Natividad
This year’s NLA was conducted in partnership with the Schools Divisions Office and Local Government Unit of Mandaluyong City, Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation Inc., and PLDT Inc. (ARB, PIA-CPSD)
