Council Meetings

LCC Welcomes Dr. Milwida Guevara, the New Member of the Literacy Coordinating Council Representing the Network of NGOs

LCC Welcomes Dr. Milwida Guevara, the New Member of the Literacy Coordinating Council Representing the Network of NGOs

Dr. Milwida M. Guevara

President and Chief Executive Synergeia Foundation

Image by Ateneo de Manila via www.ateneo.edu

In a historic moment during the 156th Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) Meeting held on February 15, 2024, the official welcoming of Dr. Milwida M. Guevara marked a significant milestone for the Council. Dr. Guevara, President and Chief Executive Officer of Synergeia Foundation, was confirmed as the new member of the LCC representing the network of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs). The confirmation came through a Council Resolution highlighting LCC’s commitment to fostering collaboration and inclusivity in the pursuit of literacy development.

Presided over by the Chairperson of the LCC and Secretary of the Department of Education, Vice President Secretary Sara Z. Duterte, the meeting brought together the heads and representatives of the different Council member agencies, including key figures and experts in the field of literacy to deliberate on strategies and initiatives for advancing the nation’s literacy goals. 

Dr. Guevara’s addition to the LCC is particularly noteworthy due to her extensive experience and dedication to literacy initiatives. As a representative of  and dedication to literacy initiatives. As a representative of the Synergeia Foundation, an organization recognized for its commitment to education and community development, Dr. Guevara brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to the Council.

Dr. Guevara’s addition to the LCC is particularly noteworthy due to her extensive experience and dedication to literacy initiatives. As a representative of the Synergeia Foundation, an organization recognized for its commitment to education and community development, Dr. Guevara brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to the Council.

Hon. Sara Z. Duterte

Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines

Secretary of the Department of Education

One of the key responsibilities entrusted to Dr. Guevara as a council member is to develop linkages with Local Government Units (LGUs) for community-based literacy development programs. This role underscores the importance of collaborative efforts between the government and non-governmental entities in addressing literacy challenges at the grassroots level. Dr. Guevara’s expertise in forging partnerships and her deep understanding of dynamics in governance and financing will undoubtedly contribute to the success of these programs.

Additionally, Dr. Guevara is expected to provide the LCC with valuable insights from the civil society perspective. This role acknowledges the critical role that NGOs play in implementing literacy initiatives and ensures that the Council benefits from a diverse range of perspectives in its decision-making processes. Dr. Guevara’s presence is a testament to the LCC’s commitment to inclusivity and holistic approaches to literacy development.

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Vice President and DepEd Secretary Hon. Sara Z. Durete together with the LCC, LCC Secretariat and other Representatives from other Agencies

As the nation faces evolving challenges in providing quality education, having a representative with Dr. Guevara’s background is crucial for steering the LCC towards effective and relevant policies and programs. The collaborative efforts of the LCC, bolstered by the expertise of its newest member, promise to create lasting impacts on literacy development in the Philippines.

During the said meeting, the Council also recognized the significant contributions of Prof. Flora C. Arellano of E-Net Philippines, the outgoing Council member, who dedicated over three years of service to the LCC.

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Prof. Flora C. Arellano

Board Member of E-Net Philippines

Pag-aaral Ukol sa Adult Literacy ng Bansa Binigyang Linaw sa 155th LCC Meeting

Pag-aaral Ukol sa Adult Literacy ng Bansa Binigyang Linaw sa 155th LCC Meeting

Naging pangunahing paksa sa ika-155 na pagpupulong ng konseho ang mga bagong kaalaman ukol sa Research Study on the Development of Benchmarks for Adult Literacy Competencies na ibinahagi ni Dr. Heidi B. Macahilig ng Philippine Normal University (PNU) na syang project leader ng nasabing proyekto. Ang pag-aaral na ito ang naghikayat sa kanilang grupo upang tuklasin ang mga hamon na kinakaharap ng adult literacy, masukat ang kanilang kakayahan, at makabuo ng mga rekomendasyong pang-polisiya.

Dr. Heidi B. Macahilig ng Philippine Normal University

Ang naturang pulong na ginanap noong Nobyembre 17, 2023 sa pamamagitan ng Zoom video conference ay pinangunahan ni Undersecretary Gina O. Gonong ng Curriculum and Teaching ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon. Kabilang din sa mga aktibong nakibahagi sa pulong ay sina Dr. Bert J. Tuga ng Philippine Normal University (PNU), Director-General Jose A. Torres, Jr. ng Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Ms. Flora C. Arellano ng E-Net Philippines, Assistant Director Edgardo S. Aranjuez II ng National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Assistant Secretary Sunshine Charry Fajarda ng DepEd, Officer-in-Charge Assistant Secretary Marilette R. Almayda ng Bureau of Alternative Education (BAE), at iba pang kinatawan ng LCC members at mga panauhin.

Undersecretary of Curriculum and Teaching,

Gina O. Gonong sa pulong ng 155th LCC Meeting

Kabilang sa mahahalagang tinalakay ay ang mga sumusunod: 1) LCC’s Accomplishments for FY 2023; 2) LCC’s Programs, Activities, and Projects for FY 2024; at 3) Voting Results for the New NGO Representative to the LCC, at iba pang napapanahong paksa.

Ang resulta ng boto para sa bagong NGO Representative ng konseho ay inihayag ni OIC ASec. Almayda na umani ng limang boto mula sa mga miyembro ng LCC para kay Dr. Milwida M. Guevara ng Synergeia Foundation.

Kuha ni Usec. Gina O. Gonong kasama ang mga miyembro at kinatawan ng LCC,

LCC Secretariat at iba pang panauhin

Pagpapaigting ng Adbokasiya sa Literacy, Idiniin sa ika-154 na Meeting ng LCC

Sa ika-154 na pagpupulong ng Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC), idiniin ng Philippine Information Agency (PIA) ang kahalagahan ng pagpapaigting ng adbokasiya ng literacy sa bansa. Inilatag ni Director General Jose A. Torres, Jr. ang mga hakbangin ng PIA upang tiyakin na maisasagawa ang mga natukoy na plano ng LCC sa pagpapalaganap ng kamalayan ng mga mamamayan tungkol sa kahalagahan ng pagpapaunlad ng literacy. Binanggit ni DG Torres sa kaniyang presentasyon ang mga naisakatuparan ng kanilang ahensya kabilang na ang papel na ginampanan nito sa pagbuo ng LCC Communication Plan, social media cards, video at radio commercials, kasama na ang media guesting ng LCC Secretariat sa mga Regional Kapihan ng PIA at sa iba pang partner media networks. Kasama rin sa kaniyang ibinahagi ang mga inisyatibong isasakatuparan pa ng PIA sa hinaharap. “Katuwang ang PIA sa pagsusulong ng adbokasiya ng LCC na Literacy for All,” pahayag ni DG Torres.

Ang mga nagsidalo sa 154th LCC Meeting
Ibinabahagi ni DG Torres ang mga inisyatibo ng PIA sa pagpapaigting ng adbokasiya sa literacy

Ang ika-154 na pagpupulong ng konseho ay pinangunahan ni Vice President at Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Z. Duterte, Chairperson din ng LCC. Ito ay ginanap noong Agosto 3, 2023 sa pamamagitan ng Zoom video conference. Kabilang sa mga dumalo sa nasabing pulong ay ang mga miyembro at kinatawan ng LCC na sina Congressman Roman T. Romulo ng House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Culture, Dr. Bert J. Tuga ng Philippine Normal University (PNU), Prof. Flora C. Arellano ng E-Net Philippines, Director-General Jose A. Torres, Jr. ng Philippine Information Agency (PIA), at Director Girlie Grace J. Casimiro-Igtiben ng National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). Kasama ring nakilahok sa miting na ito sina Assistant Secretary (ASec) Sunshine Charry A. Fajarda at ASec G.H. S. Ambat ng DepEd, Assistant National Statistician Adrian A. Cerezo ng Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), at iba pang panauhin na katuwang ng LCC.

Si Vice President at DepEd Secretary Sara Z. Duterte habang pinangangasiwaan ang 154th LCC Meeting

         Kabilang din sa mga natalakay sa naturang meeting ang pagrerepaso ng Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) ng PSA, pagbuo ng Literacy Journal katulong ang PNU, nominasyon para sa magiging bagong NGO member ng LCC, at iba pang mahahalagang paksa.

2022 National Literacy Awards Finally Kicks Off During the 149th Council Meeting

After its deferral last 2020 due to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Literacy Coordinating Council has finally commenced its preparatory measures for the conduct of the 2022 National Literacy Awards (NLA) that is set to be conducted in September. Regarded as the major program of the LCC under its Advocacy, Social Mobilization, and Partnerships’ belt, the 2022 NLA is a biennial event that aims to honor and recognize outstanding individuals, institutions, local government units, and nongovernment organizations for their dedication, commitment, and contribution in eradicating illiteracy in their respective communities. To onboard members and ensure alignment within its member agencies, the LCC Secretariat had the privilege to present the guidelines of the NLA as stipulated in the DepEd Memorandum no. 22, s. 2022 on 2022 National Literacy Awards. This happened last March 29, 2022, during the Council’s 149th LCC meeting. The specific parts highlighted are the objectives of the 2022 NLA, its categories, and processes involved in the whole conduct such as the nomination, regional selection, and national selection process. This was presented by Ms. Marikka P. Mampusti, focal person of the program.

On top of the presentation of the guidelines, the nominated members of the Board of Judges who are responsible for the screening, evaluation, and onsite validation of regional NLA entries and selection of the national winners for each of the NLA categories have also received their approval from the Council.

In line with its effort to make headway in ensuring the successful conduct of the NLA, the LCC Secretariat has committed to strengthening the dissemination of the program’s information, education, and communication materials to boost the advocacy of the NLA and at the same time, stir up the interest and drive of the literacy champions all over the country to join the NLA.

Moreover, to guide our field personnel on the activities and procedures set forth in the DM 22, s. 2022, the LCC shall hold a national orientation on April 20-22, 2022 which specifically aims to (a) increase awareness on existing programs, projects, and activities of the LCC; (b) capacitate field personnel on the processes and documentary requirements needed to facilitate the nomination, selection, and validation of NLA entries efficiently and effectively; (c) build readiness and confidence of field personnel in spearheading pertinent activities for the 2022 NLA.

After the completion of the discussion on the other agenda items for the 149th LCC meeting, namely Status of Agreements from the 148th LCC meeting, presentation of LCC’s FY 2022 Q1 Accomplishments and Q2 Activities, and approval of the LCC resolution on the adoption of the Manual on the Creation of Local Literacy Councils, the meeting was peacefully adjourned at 10:50 in the morning. For more information on the 2022 NLA, kindly read the DepEd Memorandum No. 22, s. 2022 at https://bit.ly/DM22S2022.

Marikka P. Mampusti

Project Development Officer II