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)