The Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) awarded the Municipality of Tanay, Rizal as one of the most outstanding Local Government Units (LGU) in 2019. Their exemplar practices in literacy not only set the standards for other aspiring outstanding Local Government Units, but also promoted the significance of literacy in national progress. Through the vast efforts of the people of the Municipality of Tanay who sought an efficient and effective education for all, guided by the Alcalde, Hon. Rex Manuel C. Tanjuatco – the Municipality of Tanay, Rizal was able to change the landscape of illiteracy rate down to 1.72% of the combined number of OSYs (Out-of-School Youths), OSAs (Out-of-School Adults), Farmers, PWD, Women, Students/Youth, Elderly, and other sectors within the municipality. In 2019, they were able to create and implement a repertoire of outstanding literacy practices which piqued the interest of people all over the education sector, which eventually led them to be triumphant in the National Literacy Awards as one of the most outstanding Local Government Units.
Some of their award-winning literacy programs/projects are:
- The Skills Training on Shielded Metal Arch Welding (NC I and NC II) conducted in the town proper and upland barangays was a thoroughly planned program of the LGU considering the demand for welders locally and internationally, and led to a 100% passing rate in year 2014 and 2015, with 80% locally and internationally employed, and 20% self-employed;
- Continuing Education Program for ALS Learners aimed to serve out-of-school youths and adults in all barangays to eradicate illiteracy and unemployment. A whopping 90% of the ALS elementary were enrolled in secondary public schools and 80% enrollees in college from the ALS secondary were achieved.
- The Bigay Kinabukasan sa Selda did not only give the inmates a chance of hope, it also gave them an opportunity for redemption on bridging their dreams to reality and changing their lives as they were given a chance to enroll in various livelihood trainings and TESDA courses as part of rehabilitation and preparation for their eventual release from jail, which has been going on from 2011 up to present.
- The Special Education Program (SPED), which is anchored to DepEd’s plan promoted inclusive education for all and no student left behind policy is one of the key programs which the municipality of Tanay takes prides of. Catering students with special needs, thus empowering them in ways unimaginable, despite their physical and cognitive limitations.
- The Madrasah is an Arabic term for “School”, caters Muslim students to be taught with their language and culture. Through this program, the level of awareness of Muslim students of their culture and tradition has increased.
- The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Literacy Training program of the Municipality of Tanay has conducted series of disaster trainings for LGU employees, barangay personnel, teachers, students, and army reservists. The said programs ultimately aim to make the entire community resilient to disasters, both natural and human-induced.
- A Scholarship Program is provided by the LGU to address problems on poverty alleviation, economic empowerment and illiteracy rate. This program proves that poverty should never be a hindrance to getting quality education. A total of 546 scholars under 4 categories were able to acquire the opportunity to attain quality education.
- The Tour Guide Training addressed the LGU’s campaign against illegal logging and charcoal making in the upland barangays as some of the current tour guides have been previously engaged in these kinds of activities that pose as environmental perils.
- The Karunungan ng mga Katutubo sa Bulubundukin ng Tanay (KABULTAN) is a big factor in which IPs are being empowered. It started in 1999. In 2015, out of 75 enrollees, 52 passed in which 42% enrolled in A & E Program – Elementary Level, 38% enrolled in livelihood program, and 20% engaged in agricultural activity. Learners who failed the exam were re-enrolled in the program, engaged in business and agricultural activities and used their gained knowledge in their work.
- The Indigenous People Education Program (PUGAD Project) aimed to uphold the culture of the indigenous people, giving emphasis on Panitikan, Ugnayan, Gawain, Alituntunin ng Dumagat/Remontado.
The Municipality of Tanay is proud to present its programs/projects and will continue to uphold their exemplary literacy practices as it did not only promote an efficient and effective literacy for all, but also a sense of pragmatic ways on how to adapt to a community in the 1st class municipality. It is an avenue of literacy programs and a benchmark for other aspiring outstanding Local Government Units.
The Literacy Coordinating Council would also like to extend its sincerest gratitude to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) for the huge amount of work, research and dedication in producing this video of the Municipality of Tanay, Rizal as one of the winners in the National Literacy Awards.