NLC-Bulletin

To officially begin the second day of the event, Jaro National High School Singing Trio entertained the participants with a production number. Dr. Merry Ruth M. Gutierrez, Professor III of the Philippine Normal University, discussed the Foundational Framework for Exemplary Community-based Literacy Programs and Engagement as Basis for Policy Development. This is in cognizance and response to the mandate of Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) as a policy-making body for literacy, wherein PNU is an active member who spearheaded the said research project to develop a framework as standard for exemplary community literacy programs. This framework will also serve as a Monitoring and Evaluation tool for every community literacy program, and as a legal basis research-based database for national and local policies. She also disseminated instruments to validate the standards and performance indicators of the developed framework which was the result of a grounded theory research conducted last year by the proponents, to wit: Judy C. Bautista, Ph.D., Project Director and Lead Researcher; Merry Ruth M. Gutierrez, Ph.D., Project Co-Director; and Co-Researchers Heidi B. Macahilig, Ph.D., Sammy Q. Dolba, MA, and Al Ryanne G. Gatcho, MA.

Moreover, DepEd, through the LCC, facilitated the Call for Papers as a venue for presentation of the researches conducted on “Community-based Literacy Programs” and other literacy-related research studies. These studies were selected by the LCC Evaluation Committee based on criteria, assessing that they have relevant literacy policy recommendations on Inclusive Education, Literacy Learning and Instruction, Literacy Teacher and Program Development, and Literacy Governance.

The following are the list of winners on the Call for Papers. These researchers presented their research orally:

These authors, together with the poster exhibitors, were recognized by the Literacy Coordinating Council members and Cebuana Lhuiller Foundation, Inc. during the awarding ceremony on LCC Call for Papers.  Through their implications, Mr. Nemesio O. Malatamban III, Supervising Legislative Officer II of the House of Representatives, integrated a synthesis of policy recommendations. Before the synthesis, the Jalandoni Memorial National High School amused the participants with their performance of the Dinagyang dance, a religious and cultural dance of Iloilo City. DILG Assistant Regional Director Maria Calpiza J. Sardua concluded the event with her closing remarks.

This October 9, the 2019 National Literacy Conference with the theme, “Aligning 21st Century Literacies to Industry 4.0 through Research,” officially commenced through an Opening Program. The Entrance of Colors was executed by Ramon Avaceña National High School, followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem performed by the Iloilo City National High School Chorale. An Interfaith Prayer was invocated by Ms. Leila G. Valencia, Education Program Supervisor of the DepEd Iloilo City Division. Mr. Alfredo Villanueva, Executive Assistant IV of Deped Region VI, warmly welcomed the 2019 NLC Participants. Meanwhile, Ms. Ma. Gemma M. Ledesma, Regional Director of DepEd Region VI, delivered her welcome remarks and acknowledged the resource speakers and other Regional Directors, as well as the Assistant Regional Directors. After the delivery of remarks, LCC Secretariat Chief Enrico R. Mendoza stated the Rationale of Activity and introduced the participants per region. NEDA Director Maryanne E. R. Darauay introduced the keynote speaker Diosdado M. San Antonio, DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction and Chairperson of LCC. According to Usec. San Antonio, the challenge to teachers is to “go beyond the traditional notion of what a literate person is, [not only] one who is able to read and write, but to be equipped with Industry 4.0 skills.”

Dr. Alfredo E. Pascual, former President of the University of the Philippines and current President of the Institute of Corporate Directors, and Dr. Sherlyne A. Acosta, Educational Research Unit Head of SEAMEO-Innotech, talked about the “Prospects and Challenges on Literacy for Industry 4.0 and the Literacy Research Agenda.” These were followed by the discussions on “Aligning Research on Pedagogies vis-à-vis 21st Century” and “Strengthening Participation of Stakeholders in Literacy Governance,” which were tackled by Dr. Allan B. De Guzman, University of Santo Tomas Professor, and Anna Liza F. Bonagua, DILG Director of Bureau of Local Government Development, respectively. John Arnold S. Siena, Director IV of the National Educators Academy of the Philippines, Teacher Education Council Secretariat’s Executive Director Runvi V. Manguerra, and Dr. Gina O. Gonong, PNU Director for Research Center joined the panel discussion on “Capacitating Literacy Educators and Workers.” Said discussion was facilitated by Mr. Addie T. Unsi of E-Net Philippines.

Highlighting Day 1 of the 2019 NLC was the awarding of LCC’s Hall of Fame for Outstanding Literacy Program. The Hall of Fame Award was received by the Socio-economic Uplift Literacy Anthropological and Developmental Services (SULADS, Inc.), receiving a cash prize worth Php 100,000 and a Hall of Fame trophy. Dr. Ephraim L. Pitogo, President of SULADS, Inc., delivered his acceptance speech and appreciated DepEd and LCC for their overwhelming support and undying recognition of their program. SULADS, Inc., a non-government organization reaching out to indigenous people, is a three-time first place winner in the LCC’s National Literacy Awards.

The Department of Education (DepEd), through the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC), is currently conducting the 2019 National Literacy Conference as stipulated under the DepEd memorandum No. 064, series of 2019. With the theme “Aligning 21st Century Literacies to Industry 4.0 through Research,” the conference aims to enhance implementers on the 21st Century Literacies, Industry 4.0 and Research on Literacy. Through this objective, one of the highlights of the event is the conduct of call for papers. The research studies currently presented in the conference from interested scholars, teachers, professionals and other researchers were ensured to have relevant policy recommendations about Inclusive Education, Literacy Learning and Instruction, Literacy Teacher Development, Literacy Program Development, and Literacy Governance. Below is the official list of poster presenters from different regions:

The above-mentioned literacy researchers were selected by the LCC Evaluation Committee based on certain criteria. There is also an exhibit for LGUs, academe, NGOs and DepEd as a platform for the exchange of experiences and good practices on literacy implementation. In addition to this, nine guests will also be presenting orally on the second day of the event.

The 2019 National Literacy Conference is currently happening today until October 10, 2019 at Punta Villa Resort, Arevalo, Iloilo City. The conference’s participants are from DepEd’s Central and Regional Offices and Schools Divisions, Local Government Units, and other Government and Non-Government Organizations.