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A conference was held on February 11, 2020 at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City with the theme, “Alliance for the Creation of a National Strategic Workforce Development Plan.” It aimed to gather diverse perspectives that can inform curriculum, instruction, assessment, industry and employment practices, capacity-building standards and policy formulation and implementation on having a consolidated strategic workforce plan for the Philippines in achieving the long-term vision and aspirations of the Filipino people in the next 25 years through AmBisyon Natin 2040.

 

The Revision of the National Literacy Awards (NLA) Guidelines was discussed during the Technical Working Group (TWG) Meeting on February 5, 2020 held at the Teacher Education Council (TEC) Secretariat Conference Room, Mabini Building, DepEd Central Office. Mr. Zaldy I. Masangkay, Bureau of Local Government Development Division Chief of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, presided over the LCC Secretariat, TWG and Council Representatives to revise the NLA Guidelines on the Selection Process, Categories and Procedures. The Council also amended the draft DepEd Memorandum on the conduct of the 2020 National Literacy Awards.

Proposed Timetable of Activities for the 2020 NLA conduct, including the selection process of regional entries and the Special Award of Excellence in Literacy, were tentatively settled. The List of Board of Judges (BOJ) for the Outstanding Literacy Program, Outstanding Local Government Unit (LGU), and Special Award of Excellence in Literacy were also agreed upon during the said meeting. Selection on the Outstanding LGU were categorized into Highly Urbanized City, Independent Component City/ Component City, 1^st to 3^rd Class Municipality, and 4^th to 6^th Class Municipality. The NLA Score Sheets for the mentioned NLA categories were also presented, subject for review.

The awarding ceremonies for the 2020 NLA will be held in September.

In partnership with the Research Center for Teacher Quality (RCTQ) and Office of the Secretary (OSec), the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) currently holds a series of workshops with DepEd CO’s various bureaus and offices on topics concerning Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST), Results-based Performance Management System (RPMS), and Capacity Building on Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS).

 

On February 5-6, 2020, the LCC Secretariat staff participated in on the second cluster of activities which highlighted the Elaboration of PPST and Orientation on Recognition Guidelines. As elaborated by Mr. John Arnold S. Siena, Director IV of NEAP, “Teacher quality has a big implication… We always need to check what is critical for learners and teachers.” The activities included workshops on the assignment of Professional Development Credit Units, and Orientation and Review of Recognition Guidelines for non-DepEd Learning Service Providers (LSPs) which are both significant in levelling up the quality of roughly 900,000 teachers in the country.

Ms. Maria Lourdes D. Pantoja, Director IV of Bureau of Human Resource and Organization Development (BHROD), and Dr. Jennie V. Jocson, Senior Program Manager from the RCTQ facilitated the brainstorming on PPST while Mr. Edward DJ. Garcia, Project Development Officer V, Ms. Graciel A. Retardo and Mr. Lee S. Macalisang, Technical Assistants II of NEAP- Quality Assurance Division (QAD) led the discussions on NEAP Tranformation, and Authorization, Evaluation and Recognition of non-DepEd LSPs.

The week-long series of workshops of NEAP is anticipated to be successfully concluded tomorrow at DepEd – NEAP NCR Training Center, Marikina City.

 

The first joint meeting of the Committees on Higher and Technical Education (CHTE) and Basic Education and Culture was conducted on February 4, 2020 at Nograles Hall, House of Representatives. This House Bill 208 was introduced by Representative Joet Garcia of the 2nd district of Bataan. Rep. Garcia has seen the importance of lifelong learning in lowering poverty in the City of Balanga, Bataan. It also seeks to introduce lifelong learning by providing guidelines for the mandatory establishment of learning cities nationwide and providing benefits for the successfully compliant cities.

 

The LCC Technical Working Group (TWG) Meeting was conducted on January 23, 2020 at the Bureau of Curriculum Development (BCD) Conference Room, Bonifacio Building, DepEd Central Office. The LCC Secretariat, together with the TWG and Council Representatives, discussed the Proposed Literacy Coordinating Council Bill as amended by Republic Act No. 10122 enacted on July 27, 2009. This was presided over by Mr. Nemesio O. Malatamban III, Supervising Legislative Officer II of the House of Representatives.

The proposal to revise and expand the current LCC Law was initially presented during the last Midyear Performance Review held on July 16-18, 2019 in Cebu City. Originally, the foundation of the LCC Law (RA No. 10122) was the Republic Act No. 7165, otherwise known as “An act creating the Literacy Coordinating Council, defining its powers and functions, appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes”. On-site comments and suggestions on RA No. 10122 were integrated vis-à-vis the proposed LCC Bill through a matrix. Further revisions and inputs on the Proposed Revised LCC Bill will be included in the drafting of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) once the new law is approved.

 

The Philippine Normal University, being one of the Council Members, took the lead on the recently conducted Focus Group Discussion on January 14, 2020 held at DepEd RO II, RELC-NEAP in Tuguegarao City. Region II hosting the Cluster Luzon, marks the completion of the data gathering of the Research Study on the Development of the National Literacy Framework spearheaded by Dr. Heidi B. Macahilig.

Aimed to come up with invaluable data and insights from different sectors, the research team has been visiting different regions since the last quarter of 2019. Participants in the said activity included focal persons of literacy from various offices of DepEd, DILG, Private Companies from different industries, Academe, and NGO.

The said research study seeks to develop a national overarching framework of literacy skills and competencies that will make every Filipino ready and equipped for 21st century living. The results of the research are expected to be also used in guide policies on curriculum development, instruction and teacher education, facilitators’ training in both formal and informal education systems, and literacy governance.

 

 

On January 15, 2020, a Second (2nd) Technical Working Group (TWG) Meeting on Senate Bill No. 740 – Alternative Learning System was conducted at the Philippine Senate, chaired by Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian. This was participated in by DepED Assistant Secretary G.H. S. Ambat, Literacy Coordinating Council Secretariat (LCCS), Education Network (E-Net) Philippines and other education stakeholders. The group was convened to further discuss the comments, issues and proposed revisions on the said Bill.

 

 

The Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) spearheaded the conduct of the Consultative Workshop on the Localization of LCC on December 10-13, 2019 held at the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) Regional Office XII, General Santos City. This convergence was initiated to review the status of LGU implementation of DILG Memorandum Circular 2007-155 issued on November 26, 2007 on the creation or strengthening of Local LCCs. Moreover, this initiative is a follow through of the agreements made during the last Midyear Performance Assessment on the review of LCC Localization Guidelines for possible policy development recommendation. Regarding this, the activity aimed to a) share good practices on the creation and strengthening of local LCCs; b) identify strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and results of local LCCs; and c) develop draft policy recommendations on the localization of LCC.

Dr. Allan G. Farnazo, Regional Director of DepEd Region XII, noted during his welcome message the importance of proper calamity response to reduce casualties and the need to disseminate information on disaster preparedness. Assistant Secretary for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Alma Ruby C. Torio shared in her remarks the Philippines’ low status on the world’s basic education standards, particularly on the students’ poor comprehension levels. According to Asec. Torio, “our students cannot extrapolate what they have read”, saying that they can read but they cannot relate. She also presented the Curriculum and Instruction strand’s program called KITE to bridge the gap between quantity and quality education. The K-12 Curriculum Review and Update; Improvement of Learning Environment; Teacher Upskilling and Reskilling; and, Engagement of Stakeholders for Support and Collaboration are the quadrants of this program representing the pillars of Sulong EduKalidad which will respond to the rapidly-changing education landscape.

Selected Local Government Unit (LGU) representatives based on the National Literacy Awards (NLA) categories, shared their experiences onlocalization of LCCs and presented the profiles of their represented LGUs.Mr. Rosalito B. Libres of LGU Butuan City representedHighly Urbanized City; Mr. Sedfrey A. Dela Cruz of LGU Santiago City representedComponent/ Independent Component City; while Mr. Alexander C. Zambrano, Jr.of LGU San Francisco, Agusan del Sur represented 1^st to 3^rd Class Municipality.

Parallel workshop on the localization of LCC was also done to enable LGU representatives to share their existing LCC structure and functions; identify mechanisms needed, possible hindrances and their corresponding solutions in creating local LCC; and identify measures in sustaining local LCC.

Impressions on creating or strengthening localized LCC were also delivered by Mayor Johnny Rodulfo of LGU Bato, Catanduanes and Mr. Sedrey A. Dela Cruz of LGU Santiago City, Isabela. Ms. Susan M. Carandang, Supervising Economic Development Specialist of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), concluded the consultative workshop with a gratitude message and ways forward or actions to be done for the establishment or strengthening of local LCC.

This activity was carried out as a first step in establishing or strengthening local LCC as a function of the Council, pursuant to Section 9.7 of Republic Act 10122 stating that LCC shall have the power and function to “propose measures on how to organize and strengthen support structures for literacy at the regional, provincial, city, municipal, and barangay levels.”

 

 

LCC Chairperson Diosdado M. San Antonio, DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction, presided over the 140^th Council Meeting on December 18, 2019 held at Robbinsdale Residences, Quezon City which was participated in by the Council Members and Representatives. One of the agenda of the last LCC meeting for this year is the Accomplishments of the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) for the calendar year 2019 which were narrowed down into four (4) Key Result Areas (KRAs), including the Research and Policy Formulation; Advocacy, Social Mobilization and Networking; Knowledge Management; and Capacity Building. The meeting also featured discussions on the future programs and projects of the Council for the calendar year 2020, as well as proposals on the Resolution for the new NGO Representative. Other highlights include the amendments on the expansion of the LCC Law and the voting process for the nominees on the election of the new NGO Representative.

The Council members and representatives who were present during the meeting were Atty. Katerina S. Cadiente and Mr. Adnan P. Ahmad of Philippine Senate; Mr. Nemesio O. Malatamban III and Atty. Devi Katerina Martinez-Negre of House of Representatives; Director Anna Liza F. Bonagua, CESO III and Mr. Zaldy I. Masangkay of Department of the Interior and Local Government; Dr. Heidi B. Macahilig of Philippine Normal University; Ms. Susan M. Carandang of National Economic and Development Authority; Ms. Melinda T. Quiñones of Philippine Information Agency; and Prof. Flora C. Arellano and Mr. Addie T. Unsi of Education Network (E-Net) Philippines.

 

 

The Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) officially launched its first-ever LCC Coffee Table Book (CTB) on December 6, 2019 at Robbinsdale Residences, Quezon City, with a theme “LCC Treasury of Inspiring Stories: Passion for Literacy.” The book features fourteen (14) real-life success stories of Local Government Units (LGUs), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and DepEd Initiated Literacy Programs.

According to Dr. Melinda T. Quiñones during her welcome remarks, Coffee Table Book is an advocacy project of LCC aiming to contribute to the goal realization of universalizing literacy in the country through public awareness and to institutionalize literacy efforts of various implementers through appropriate recognition. The launch also encourages the development and replication of literacy programs promoting the welfare of indigenous communities.

Dr. Girlie E. Amarillo, member of CTB Validating Team, discussed the Selection Guidelines and Validation Process of the development of the LCC Coffee Table Book. Among the validation activities facilitated were the Call for Entries for Success Stories on Literacy; Workshop on the Evaluation and Selection of Entries; Validation Workshops; and Layout and Procurement for Printing and Delivery of the LCC Coffee Table Book. Entries were categorized as success stories of learners or beneficiaries of a literacy program, or success stories of literacy projects initiated by DepEd, LGU or NGO. The submitted entries were chosen based on criteria for evaluation, including theme relevance, intervention strategies, story inspiration and literacy impact. These entries were validated by the LCC Secretariat, Council Members, and other CTB Validators.

Out of forty-two (42) entries, only fourteen (14) were chosen. Three (3) of these chosen entries had the opportunity to share their validated success stories which was introduced by Ms. Aurea Jean A. Abad. Ms. Lea V. Faa of the City Schools Division of Manila, discussed DepEd’s project “ALS Eskwela sa Bawat Brigada Dala ay Pag-Asa.” This was followed by an inspirational story of “LAYAG Cuyo” shared by Mr. Ramil F. Ceralbo from Cuyo, Palawan. Finally, Ms. Catherine P. Alarzar of the Schools Division of Camarines Sur proudly presented their project called “Bangkarunungan: Yellow Boat of Hope (YBH) Now Sails in Caramoan Peninsula.”

The main highlight of the activity is the unveiling of LCC’s first-ever Coffee Table Book by present Council Members Dr. Heidi B. Macahilig of Philippine Normal University, Mr. Adnan P. Ahmad of Philippine Senate, Dr. Melinda T. Quiñones of Philippine Information Agency, and Mr. Zaldy I. Masangkay of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Plaques of Recognition were awarded to Winners to acknowledge their efforts. CTB Evaluators and Validators Mr. Girlie E. Amarillo; Ms. Aurea Jean A. Abad; Ms. Josephine Intino; Ms. Teresita D. Tetangco; Ms. Emma D. Gregorio; and Ms. Ehcel S. Hurna were also recognized. The CTB Launch was finally concluded by a message delivered by Mr. Enrico R. Mendoza, LCC Secretariat Chief, “May we all continue to ignite and share our Passion for Literacy!”

The master of ceremonies is Dr. Celia M. Ilanan of Philippine Normal University. A copy of the LCC CTB may soon be viewed and uploaded at the LCC website.