News

LCCS Joins the Celebration of 2022 National Mental Health Week

On October 13, 2022, the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) Secretariat joined the Learning Session on Mental Health for Central Office (CO) Personnel at DepEd NCR RELC in Marikina City, in celebration of the 2022 National Mental Health Week. Spearheaded by the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), in collaboration with the Bureau of Human Resource and Organizational Development-Employee Welfare Division (BHROD-EWD) and the Bureau of Learner Support Services-School Health Division (BLSS-SHD), the said activity catered to CO staff representing their respective offices, bureaus and/or services. The objectives of this learning session was to strengthen the understanding and knowledge of the DepEd CO staff on mental health and its related services, realize the importance of mental health in the education sector, raise advocates for mental health, and emphasize the integration of mental health wellness across the programs and projects within DepEd.

The relative learning session started with a mindfulness activity facilitated by the DRRMS followed by the Opening Remarks of Ms. Ronilda R. Co, Director IV of DRRMS. During her talk, she elaborated on the mental health-related supports that the DRRMS has been providing especially onset of the pandemic, such as conduct of psychosocial supports, provision of technical assistance to selected DepEd offices in establishing/managing mental health programs, and forging of partnerships with The Cultural Center of the Philippines, Psychological Association of the Philippines, Unilab, Inc., Save the Children, among others.

Dir. Co also stressed that the heads of offices provide the visions and strategies but it is the employees who actually work on them. “The office can only go as far as the employees can go. There is a need to take care of them,” as she dubbed. She also added that resting should not only happen when one feels exhausted but must always be mindful of. She ended her speech by reminding everyone that in everything that is done, the heart should always be present, and not just the brain.

After the Opening Program, the participants listened and learned a lot from the resource speakers. In the morning session, Dr. Joffrey E. Quiring, talked about the Mental Health in the Philippines while Mr. Erickson A. Amion shared valuable concepts on The Importance of Mental Health in Education Sector. Meanwhile, Dr. Dinah Palmera P. Nadera tackled the Case Studies about Mental Health Education, followed by Ms. Dhanika Austine K. Garcia, ending the afternoon session with a Mental Health Advocacy. Topics pondered on during the learning session were the definition of mental health, stressors and their effects to mental health, signs of mental health problems, situation of mental health in schools, ways to improve mental health and their benefits, case studies concerning mental health wellness and mental health advocacy.

After the plenary sessions, the participants proceeded to the break-out session where each group came up with a poster in respond to the questions: 1) What is a Mentally Healthy DepEd ? and 2) How can the CO personnel advocate for it in the Department? Afterwards, all five groups were given the opportunity to share their respective outputs. 

At the end of the day, Dr. Co expressed her gratitude to the Technical Working Group and reiterated to the group the importance and impact of checking on people, specifically one’s staff, because it also adds to the perspective of the whole team. She promoted collaboration among the participants and reminded everyone to always practice compassion to oneself and to others.

Before the participants parted ways, they were asked of their commitments on promoting and sustaining sound mental health, and were instructed to put them into sticky notes before finally posting them in the wall. The group understood that the last activity meant that everyone needed each other’s back in fulfilling their commitments. After all, we are all in this together.

The LCC Secretariat (LCCS) regularly responds to various invitations from DepEd offices and all other literacy stakeholders to extend its support towards achieving literacy for all, including the mental health wellness. The LCCS joins in the promotion and spreading of awareness on mental health wellness among all Filipinos. By attending in such activities, the Council gains wider perspective and insights, especially coming from the lived experiences at the grassroots level that are essential in coming up with policy recommendations beneficial to the communities.

Jem Beryline S. Bualat

PDO II, LCC Secretariat

MandaBasa E-Trike Revs Up through Project REX, a Community-based Literacy Program

On October 12, 2022, Mandaluyong Elementary School (MES) launched the Project Reading Exposé or Project REX, a community-based literacy program developed in support of the DepEd Schools Division Office of Mandaluyong’s MandaBasa program, implemented in partnership with the city government of Mandaluyong. Project REX is a reading literacy campaign which aims to reach out and provide appropriate literacy interventions to slow readers and non-readers aged 6 to 12 years old, initially within the community of Brgy. Poblacion. Volunteer teachers, parents, and barangay officials will work together in this initiative.

This project is an enhanced version of the Kariton Klasrum, a program MES successfully rolled out from 2015 to 2019 that made possible for many out-of-school and street children to go back to school.

The LCC Secretariat had a privilege in sharing with the program attendees the Standards for Exemplary Community-based Literacy Programs and Engagement developed by the Council in partnership with the Philippine Normal University.

May all education stakeholders continue to work together to ensure that zero illiteracy in the Philippines is achieved.

LCC, One Step Closer in Bestowing Honor to the Recipients of the 2022 National Literacy Awards

151st Council Meeting held in the Bureau of Curriculum Development Conference Room last October 6, 2022

Subsequent to the successful conduct of the onsite validation of the National Literacy Awards (NLA) entries which ran from August 8 to September 23, 2022, the Literacy Coordinating Council is one step closer in bestowing honor and awards to outstanding local government units and literacy programs implemented by nongovernment organizations. This has transpired during the 151st LCC Meeting after the council members have approved the rankings of the finalists that were carefully deliberated on by the NLA Board of Judges.

The 2022 National Literacy Awards which aims to recognize best literacy practices carried out by local government units and nongovernment organizations that help alleviate poverty, provide livelihood opportunity, address welfare needs, promote freedom, and make education facilities accessible, among others, successfully took off last March. 

Conduct of the onsite validation of the National Literacy Awards for the categories of Outstanding Literacy Program and Outstanding Local Government Units, i.e. Highly Urbanized City, Independent/Independent Component City, First to Third Class Municipality, and Fourth to Sixth Class Municipality.

Following the selection process of the Regional Offices where regional winners were declared, the LCC Secretariat and its Board of Judges have commenced with the onsite validation to the top five finalists of each category. Interviews with program managers, program partners, and beneficiaries were conducted by validating them during the opening program and onsite visits. Exit conference was also organized in each site to provide feedback and observations on the validation conducted by the Board of Judges.

Deliberation Meeting of the Board of Judges last September 27, 2022

Right after the conduct of the on-site validation, the Board of Judges convened last September 27, 2022, to finalize the rankings of their respective categories. The decision made was then presented to the 151st Council Meeting with proper justification. The assigned member of each category presented and endorsed to the rankings for the approval of the Council last October 6, 2022. The rankings were then approved by the Council which makes it final and unappealable. Guided by the provision of DepEd Memorandum no. 22, s. 2022 on confidentiality, the LCC, BOJs, and the LCC Secretariat shall keep the results strictly confidential.

The LCC is set to announce the winners of the 2022 National Literacy Awards on the NLA Awarding Ceremonies which will be held in partnership with the Schools Division Office of Mandaluyong City on December 1, 2022. The LCC will duly notify the finalists of the logistical and administrative concerns in preparation for the ceremony.

During the same event, the recipients of the LCC’s Special Award of Excellence in Literacy will also be awarded. This category is in partnership with Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc.

The LCC would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to the finalists for making it to this part of the 2022 National Literacy Awards. 

Marikka P. Mampusti

Project Development Officer II

PSA’s 15th National Convention on Statistics Features LCC’s Research on National Literacy Framework

On October 3, 2022, Dr. Heidi B. Macahilig, Associate Dean and Representative of the Philippine Normal University (PNU) to the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC), presented the National Literacy Framework (NLF) in the 15th National Convention on Statistics (NCS) held on October 3-5,2022 at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City. The NLF is the output of the research study conducted by the LCC in partnership with the PNU.

With the theme “Boosting the Country’s Recovery with Informed Decisions, Better Policies,” the said convention emphasizes the importance of crafting strong and responsive socioeconomic policies based on relevant and reliable statistics for the continuous pursuit of the country’s recovery from the adverse impacts of the pandemic. The objectives of the event are: 1) to provide a forum for exchanging ideas and experiences in the field of statistics and for discussing recent statistical developments and prevailing issues and problems of the Philippines Statistical System (PSS), and 2) to elicit the cooperation and support of statisticians and professionals in related fields from the government, academe and private sector towards a more responsive statistical system. The country’s efforts towards recovery jumpstarted with the adoption of strong responsive socioeconomic policies based on relevant and accurate statistics.

The PSS, by virtue of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Board Resolution No. 01, Series of 2017-073 “Approving the Conduct of the National Convention on Statistics Every Three Years,” conducts the NCS every three years. It is the country’s biggest convergence of statisticians, statistical practitioners, academicians, researchers, students, and media, both from the government and private sectors. The said event included plenary sessions, invited/contributed paper sessions, panel discussions, statistics trainings as well as the Statistical Information Management Exhibit (SIMEX) – a commercial exhibition of the latest software, hardware and other products for statistical information and management.

The NCS has always been a provider of fora for developing new and strengthening partnerships among government agencies, private sector, media, academe, and international organizations. Meanwhile, for this year, the 15th NCS coincides with the opening ceremony of the 33rd National Statistics Month (NSM) dated October 3, 2022.

Through this avenue, the NLF was introduced to various literacy policy makers and stakeholders and hopes to ignite discussions on elevating the quality of literacy in the country in spite of Filipino communities’ diverse profiles and needs especially now, in the face of a crisis. With the development of the NLF, implications on the definition of literacy being used by PSA’s Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS), including the crafting of survey questions may be considered.

The Council continually strives to strengthen its research and development work which aims to come up with evidence-based, relevant, and responsive policies addressing the current literacy needs of the country. Through this, the Council will be able to also develop strategies, programs, and initiatives on literacy education that will in turn help produce 21st century lifelong learners and citizens.

To view and get a copy of the technical report of the NLF, kindly visit this link (https://lcc.deped.gov.ph/NLFCopy).

Make sure to check on the Council’s latest programs, projects, and activities via LCC Secretariat’s official Facebook account and LCC website.  

Jem Beryline S. Bualat

PDO II, LCC Secretariat

LCC SECRETARIAT TURNS OVER DONATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE 2022 BRIGADA ESKWELA

On August 11, 2022, the LCC Secretariat (LCCS) in collaboration with DepEd’s External Partnerships Service, turned over several boxes of donations from Universal Robina Corporation to Pasay City West High School (PCWHS) and to Pasay City’s Alternative Learning System (ALS) Community Learning Center. The donation was handed over by Mr. Enrico R. Mendoza, Head of the LCCS to Ms. Almeda Macaranas, Assistant Chair for Brigada Eskwela, and Ms. Phia Diola, Teacher from PCWHS, as well as to Mr. John Errol Ruiz and Ms. Jomarie Correo, ALS Teachers from Pasay ALS CLC. The said turn-over ceremonies were held during the conduct of the onsite validation of the LCC to Pasay City LGU for being one of the finalists under the Outstanding Local Government Unit-Highly Urbanized City Category of the 2022 National Literacy Awards.

The said donation is one of the many manifestations of forged and active partnerships of DepEd with private sectors and other literacy stakeholders. This gesture is done to express utmost appreciation to the dedicated and hardworking teachers and other community partners in ensuring literacy is promoted and sustained all through out the year, especially now that the opening of classes is just around the corner.

Jem Beryline S. Bualat

Project Development Officer II

August 16, 2022

LCC Solidifies Partnership with World Vision through the Brigada Pagbasa Program

The Brigada Pagbasa campaign has been known as a cornerstone which aims to help Filipino children become functionally literate and contributes to empower parents, caregivers, community volunteers, and education stakeholders within the context of transparency and local accountability by creating a link between partners and vulnerable communities to support last-mile learners and ensure access to after-school structured literacy development programs.

Because of this continued initiative, the Literacy Coordinating Council through its secretariat led by its head, Mr. Enrico R. Mendoza met with Mr. Geomel P. Jetonzo of World Vision Development Foundation to discuss future partnership plans through the Brigada Pagbasa.

Among the plans that were discussed was the strengthening of partnership and collaboration with Local Government Units and Nongovernment Organizations that would help increase the number of quality community-based literacy development initiatives; scaled up capacity building activities for literacy workers, including parents and guardians; accreditation of the Brigada Pagbasa training programs with the National Educators Academy of the Philippines; engagement with more partners that would support DepEd learning recovery initiatives; among others.

The LCC and its Secretariat reiterates its full support to the Brigada Pagbasa program as it continues to commend organizers and implementers behind the project because it presents a strategic move to collectively advocate universalization of literacy, especially to socially disadvantaged learners and adults in the country. The LCC Secretariat was part of the DepEd team, along with the External Partnerships Service who partnered with the World Vision Development Foundation in conceptualizing the Brigada Pagbasa program in support of the Department’s Hamon: Bawat Bawat Bata Bumabasa initiative.

LCCS, DepEd-SDO Mandaluyong Jumpstart Preparations for the 2022 NLA Awarding Ceremonies

The Literacy Coordinating Council Secretariat (LCCS) met virtually with the officials of DepEd Schools Division Office (SDO) of Mandaluyong City to discuss the hosting of the awarding ceremonies for the 2022 National Literacy Awards (NLA). The virtual meeting was held last July 29, 2022 via the Microsoft Teams. 

Attendees of the meeting are as follows:

DepEd – SDO Mandaluyong

Dr. Romela M. Cruz – Schools Division Superintendent

Dr. Aurelio G. Alfonso – Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

Dr. Alyn G. Mendoza – Chief, Curriculum and Instruction Division

Mr. Rex A. Ado – Chief, School Governance Operations Division

Mr. Anthony Augusto M. Garcia – Public Schools District Supervisor

Mr. John Daryll S. Mercado – ITO

Mr. Johnlord S. Mendoza – Senior Education Program Specialist, Human Resource

Ms. Ma. Theresa G. Gamboa – Senior Education Program Specialist, School Mobilization

Mr. Christian Marx P. Rivero – Senior Education Program Specialist, Planning and Research

DepEd – Central Office | LCC Secretariat

Mr. Enrico R. Mendoza – Project Development Officer V, Head of the LCC Secretariat

Ms. Marikka P. Mampusti – Project Development Officer II, LCC Secretariat

Ms. Jonnabel D. Escartin – Technical Assistant II, LCC Secretariat

Mr. Kean Osmund F. Aquino – Technical Assistant I, LCC Secretariat

Ms. Josephine Intino – Working Committee Member

Mr. Enrico R. Mendoza, Head of the LCCS and Ms. Marikka P. Mampusti, focal person in charge of the NLA thoroughly discussed the background, indicative program flow, and technical requirements needed in the conduct of the activity. Officials and personnel of SDO Mandaluyong City enthusiastically accepted the challenge of hosting the event and expressed readiness in surmounting the challenges that may arise from organizing the activity all the way to the lead-up of the actual event that is the awarding ceremonies. LCCS said that it looks forward for an engaging partnership and assured the SDO that it will work hand in hand with their officials in assembling a successful in-person NLA awarding that looks to regain momentum coming from the effects of the recent Covid-19 pandemic.

The National Literacy Awards is an annual recognition rite that aims to acknowledge best practices in literacy initiated by LGUs and NGOs around the nation as these are key elements that would help attain relevant objectives such as alleviate poverty, provide livelihood, address welfare needs, promote freedom, and make education facilities accessible.

The 2022 NLA Awarding Ceremonies is set to be held in October 2022.

Kean Osmund F. Aquino

Technical Assistant I

DepEd Launches the Nationwide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Awareness Campaign

The Department of Education, through the School Health Division of the Bureau of Learner Support Services, as well as its partners in the Philippine Red Cross and Philippine Heart Association Inc. launched the Nationwide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Awareness starting with the DepEd Central Office Personnel last July 21, 2022 at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, DepEd Complex, Pasig City.

The aim of this activity is to prepare employees of the Central Office in an event of emergency where a fellow co-worker or anyone who may need cardiopulmonary resuscitation be rescued through the first aid technique demonstrated in the said event.

According to an article by the Philippine News Agency, with cardiovascular diseases as the leading cause of death in the country, CPR is a life-saving mechanism that can prevent serious damage to individuals such as those who sustain cardiac arrest. It is note-worthy to emphasize that stated in Republic Act Number 10871 or Basic Life Support Training in Schools Act, all basic education students are required to undergo age-appropriate training in basic life support.

Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1067826

That is why it holds importance to conduct these CPR trainings to all agencies and schools in the country in order to bring forth this pressing health issue to the awareness of the public and to prepare them in case a similar scenario arises to their loved ones.

The CPR training held in Bulwagan ng Karunungan lasted for almost 3 hours and was conducted in two batches: the morning group and the afternoon group of personnel. The program contained visual and verbal presentation from the volunteers of the Philippine Red Cross Rizal Chapter. Included as well in the campaign is a comprehensive demonstration of hands only cardiopulmonary resuscitation that participants engaged to conduct themselves.

The Literacy Coordinating Council stands by to this mandate of promoting preparedness and knowledge in time of health emergency as it coincides to the goals of LCC which is to ensure that the learning needs of all young people and adults are met through equitable access to relevant and appropriate learning and life skills; life skills that may save lives and preserve the drive for a literate nation.

Kean Osmund Aquino

Technical Assistant I

LCC’s Special Award of Excellence in Literacy, Within Arm’s Reach of the Municipality of Cuyo, Palawan

Following the recommencement of the activities for the National Literacy Awards after its deferral last 2020 due to the threat caused by the pandemic, the Literacy Coordinating Council has proceeded with the validation of the literacy programs of the nominees for the Special Award of Excellence in Literacy (SAEL) category. The nomination for SAEL is given to local government units and non-government organizations that have been declared as NLA Hall of Fame Awardees after being three-time first placers of the regular search for the NLA. For this year’s NLA, the municipality of Cuyo, Palawan has been identified as one of the nominees alongside the City of Balanga, Bataan, and SULADS Philippines of Bukidnon.


With the objective to assess the sustainability of the implementation of the literacy programs of the Municipality of Cuyo, the team which consists of the members of the Board of Judges, namely, Ms. Aurea Jean A. Abad, Ms. Teresita D. Tetangco, and Ms. Ma. Cristina M. Gonzales, together with the LCC Secretariat personnel, Mr. Wilfredo A. Catangui and Ms. Marikka P. Mampusti, visited the municipality last July 5 to 12, 2022, and conducted in-person interviews and substantial dialogue with its local stakeholders.

Upon the validation’s team arrival on July 6, 2022, the municipality of Cuyo, Palawan has presented its literacy programs which will pave the way in realizing their practical vision that in 2030, Cuyo will be an ecotourism destination in Palawan, with God-fearing, resilient, culture-loving and empowered citizenry living in a peaceful and sustainable environment with diversified and progressive economy, efficient and safe infrastructure facilities and utilities governed by transparent and dynamic leaders. The municipality aims to actualize this vision through their flagship program, Kakampi, that stands for Kalusugan at Kultura, Agrikultura, Kontra Katiwalian, Aktibong Serbisyo, Malinis at Maayos na Kapaligiran, Programang Pang-Edukasyon at Pangkabuhayan, at Imprastraktura.

In the succeeding days, the validation team has gone around the municipality and visited schools, community learning centers, and barangays. This has allowed them to sit down with the stakeholders and assess the sustainability of the implementation of the literacy programs after they were hailed as a Hall of Famer in 2017. During the validation, the Board of Judges were able to take note of the strong areas of the municipality that make them worthy of being a SAEL aspirant. This includes the strong support of the local government unit in response to the needs of its education stakeholders, embracing digital transformation and managing learning through alternative learning modalities such as radio-based instruction, prioritization of building new infrastructures, the establishment of the Revitalized Agricultural Center that strengthens the engagement of residents in growing vegetables and fruit trees, and lastly, the provision of livelihood opportunities through projects purposefully made for Cuyonon islanders who reside in the coastal areas.

On the last day of the activity, the validators were able to share the observable good practices of the municipality as well their recommendations on how the local government unit can further improve the implementation of its literacy programs. The Literacy Coordinating Council treats this endeavor with high regard as it solidifies its vision to recognize the efforts and significant contributions of the LGUs in universalizing literacy in the country. It also warmly extends its gratitude to the DepEd Regional Office of the Local Government Unit of Cuyo, Palawan, DepEd Regional Office of MIMAROPA, the local stakeholders of Cuyo, Palawan, and other involved individuals who made the conduct of this activity successful.


Awarding of winners for the Special Award of Excellence in Literacy category and the regular search for the 2022 National Literacy Awards will be held in October this year. The LCC looks forward to the engagement of everyone involved in this endeavor as it fulfills its goal to bestow honor and recognition to outstanding LGUs and NGOs for their dedication, commitment, and contribution to the eradication of illiteracy in their respective communities.


PIA, LCC, UNESCO and DepEd Team up for a Media and Information Literate Philippines

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC), UNESCO, and DepEd International Cooperation Office (ICO) collaborate through Project iLearn with the aim of creating a school-based Media and Information Literacy (MIL) campaign for the Philippines, in response to our country’s commitment to the ASEAN Workplan for Education.

Two months after the last Project iLearn activity held in Tagaytay City, the DepEd ICO, in partnership with the LCC Secretariat, organized another writeshop last July 11-14, 2022 at EM Royalle Hotel and Beach Resort, San Juan, La Union, Philippines.

Dr. Jose Reuben Q. Alagaran, Staff Director for Planning and Communication Research and Officer-in-Charge of PIA-MIMAROPA also collaborated in the project by facilitating a relevant discussion on the importance of strengthening media and information literacy initiatives in the education sector. Meanwhile, Ms. Ann Lorraine Macadaeg, Information Officer III of PIA main office’s Policy and Communication Research Division facilitated a workshop and presented activities to be conducted as part of the school-based campaign on MIL. Furthermore, Dr. Ramon Tuazon from UNESCO comprehensively discussed the main thematic areas of MIL.

Education Program Specialists and representatives from various bureaus and services in the Department of Education Central Office converged once again with the intention to fulfill one of the commitments of the Philippines to the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2021-2025 which is to organize media and information literacy campaign, promote peace education and moderation values and to combat fake news. Also present in the writeshop were select personnel and teachers from Region 1 and SDO La Union.

The writeshop aimed to identify the activities that will be conducted as part of the school-based campaign on MIL; form technical working groups in-charge of each component; determine a preliminary timeline covering the preparations and conduct for each activity; accomplish the brief proposals/concept notes articulating the background and objectives of each activity; and to identify, develop, and craft the title for the school-based MIL campaign.

The said 3-day event was a success as it filled each participant with further knowledge on the background of MIL as well as it commenced the start of the series of writeshops with the intention to develop and articulate the details of the Philippine’s campaign on MIL. With one of the goals of the LCCS which is to promote programs and strategies relevant to the universalization of literacy, it is important to continue to work hand in hand with the DepEd ICO and the PIA through the next series of activities with the directive of one day, successfully integrating media and information literacy to the cognizance of the Filipino learners.