Hail to the 2024 National Literacy Awards Winners!
The Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) recognizes the contributions of local government units (LGUs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) across the nation through the National Literacy Awards (NLA) where outstanding literacy programs, practices, and accomplishments that contribute in addressing literacy gaps are recognized. This initiative also serves as a platform to strengthen partnerships and collaboration with key stakeholders, promote community-based literacy initiatives, and gather valuable insights to shape policies aimed at advancing education for all and achieving universalized literacy. This year, public schools and Alternative Learning Systems (ALS) Community Learning Centers (CLCs) have been included in the Search.
The 2024 NLA Awarding Ceremonies took place on December 12, 2024 at the Waterworld Hotel in Mandaue City, Cebu. This event also featured the conferment of the 2022 National Literacy Awards plaques, including the Special Award of Excellence in Literacy (SAEL) markers to the winners.
LCC GEARS UP: PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY FOR THE UPCOMING 2024 NATIONAL LITERACY CONFERENCE
Attendees of the Planning Meeting for the 2024 National Literacy Conference (left to right): (1) Ms. Aurea Jean A. Abad, LCC-TWG Member; (2) Ms. Gemma R. Macatangay, DILG; (3) Ms. Maria Cristina Marquez, DepEd – Bureau of Alternative Education; (4) Ms. Josephine L. Babaran and (5) Mr. Sixto Paulo Agato of the Philippine Information Agency; (6) Mr. Adnan Ahmad, Senate of the Philippines; (7) Dr. Milwilda M. Guevara, Synergeia Foundation; (8) Mr. Enrico R. Mendoza, Head of the LCC Secretariat, (9) Ms. Rossan C. Ignacio, LCC Secretariat, and (10) Ms. Marikka P. Mampusti of the LCC Secretariat, focal person for the conduct of the 2024 National Literacy Conference.
To commence the preparation for this year’s National Literacy Conference that will be held on September 3-6, the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) has convened its Technical Working Group (TWG) composed of the member representatives of the Council to draft the theme and objectives of the annual conference last May 16, 2024.
The National Literacy Conference aims to reinforce advocacy initiatives and expand the social mobilization network system on literacy. This Conference is one of the activities of the LCC being conducted annually in celebration of the annual Literacy Week, as stipulated in Presidential Proclamation No. 239, s. 1993 titled Declaring the Period from September 2 to 8 of Every Year as Literacy Week and the DepEd Memorandum No. 072, s. 2019 titled Annual Celebration of the Literacy Week.
The said meeting was attended by representatives from the LCC Secretariat and those coming from the member agencies of the Council, namely the Department of Education – Bureau of Alternative Education; Department of the Interior and Local Government; Philippine Information Agency; Senate of the Philippines – Office of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian; and Synergeia Foundation.
The meeting adjourned with an identified theme and sub-themes as well as possible resource speakers of the 2024 National Literacy Conference. Moving forward, the LCC Secretariat will finalize the output of the meeting which will be subjected to review and vetting of the member agencies. Once approved, a DepEd Memorandum providing the details for the conduct of the 2024 NatLitCon shall be issued. The LCC also anticipates the success of this year’s Conference with DepEd Region X as its host region.
Throughout the years, LCC’s National Literacy Conference has served as a venue for literacy keyholders to converse and partake in crafting policy recommendations that will improve the literacy situation in the country. As we live up to the Council’s mission, we believe that with your help, the goal of universalizing literacy in the country is within reach.
From left to right: Mr. Michael Joseph A. Torne, Program Administration Section Head of the Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. (CLFI), Mr. Enrico R. Mendoza, Head of the LCC Secretariat, Ms. Marikka P. Mampusti, Lead Officer of the Advocacy, Social Mobilization, and Partnerships of the LCC, and Mr. Jonathan D. Batangan, Executive Director of the CLFI
Driven by its mission to extend a helping hand in strengthening the advocacy of literacy, the Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Incorporation which has been one of the reliable and longest-standing partners of the Literacy Coordinating Council—being the official benefactor of cash prizes for the Special Award of Excellence in Literacy category of the National Literacy Awards, met with the LCC Secretariat last March 22, 2023 (Wednesday) to fortify its partnership and discuss existing and future areas of collaboration.
“We believe in multi-stakeholder collaboration to further promote inclusive education and literacy in the country, and we focus our resources on these advocacies among others,” shared Mr. Jonathan D. Batangan, Executive Director of the CLFI, during the meeting. The said meeting was attended by Mr. Michael Joseph A. Torne, Mr. Enrico R. Mendoza, and Ms. Marikka P. Mampusti.
The LCC, being a coordinating body, puts forth on establishing meaningful and sustainable partnerships not only with government agencies but also with private organizations that relentlessly work on empowering and uplifting the lives of Filipinos through literacy. Being its main advocacy program, the National Literacy Awards underscores the importance of literacy in nation-building. It serves as an avenue for local government units and nongovernment organizations to have their best practices in literacy documented in the hopes that these will be institutionalized and replicated.
The CLFI commits to sustaining its advocacy on education and literacy and leads the private sector to intensify the support to LCC and continue to help the Department of Education in recognizing the award-winning initiatives of all LGUs, NGOs, and Civil Society Organizations. The LCC is thrilled to further strengthen the partnership between the two parties which will manifest in the 2024 National Literacy Awards.
Photo of attendees of the exploratory meeting with 1986 Summerhouse Publishing (from left to right), Ms. Zenny Lastimosa (Project Development Officer II) and Ms. Jannet F. Labre (Project Development Officer II) from the External Partnerships Service, Mr. Michael Jeffrey E. Lamas (Program Manager and Quality Assurance Officer), Mr. Christopher B. Luces (Chief Operating Officer), and Ms. Rellyn M. Nojadera-Luces (Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer) from the 1986 Summerhouse Publishing, Mr. Enrico R. Mendoza (Project Development Officer V) of the Literacy Coordinating Council Secretariat, Ms. Laiza D. Lagarto (Program Manager and Global Training Administrator) of the 1986 Summerhouse Publishing, Ms. Michelle F. Tolentino (Senior Education Program Specialist) of the Bureau of Learning Delivery, Ms. Liza Legaspino (Senior Education Program Specialist) of the Bureau of Curriculum Development, Mr. Noel Kristian F. Espiritu (Public-Private Partnership Manager) and Mr. Ryan M. Nojadera (Creative Director and Program Manager) from the 1986 Summerhouse Publishing.
Borne out of their intention to contribute to improving the literacy situation in the country by designing a reading program called “Bawat Isa Makakabasa,” the 1986 Summerhouse Publishing, an organization with a deep sense of commitment not only to Content Development but far greater the meaning and development solutions which would carry value towards transformation and nation building, extended an opportunity to the Department of Education to implement the said reading program.
“The “Bawat Isa Makakabasa” is a reading program that supports the call to increase the literacy rate of Filipino learners and emphasizes the significant role of education in nation-building through the establishment of public libraries and reading centers in all local government units,” Ms. Rellyn M. Nojadero-Luces, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the 1986 Summerhouse Publishing shared during the meeting.
The program is responsive to the Every Child a Reader Program (ECARP), a national program that addresses the thrust of the Department of Education (DepEd) to make every child a reader at his/her grade level. It is designed to equip elementary pupils with strategic reading and writing skills to make them independent young readers and writers; and “Hamon: Bawat Bata Bumabasa (3Bs Initiative),” as well as the Department’s flagship agenda—MATATAG: “Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa.”The program is designed for learners across ages and grade levels—including Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd).
The exploratory meeting with 1986 Summerhouse Publishing was attended to by various offices from the DepEd – Central Office, namely the Literacy Coordinating Council Secretariat, External Partnerships Service, Bureau of Learning Delivery, and Bureau of Curriculum Development to ensure that the requirements needed to facilitate the implementation of the program in full swing will be set. This objective was achieved by the 1986 Summerhouse Publishing by sharing the history, background, and goals of the publishing house, having a full demonstration of the “Bawat Isa Makakabasa” reading program, explaining the Quality Management procedures of the organization, showing a preview of the Learning Management System (LMS) platform intended for the implementation of the program, and explaining their Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program.
The meeting ended meaningfully by identifying the ways forward to formally establish a partnership between DepEd and 1986 Summerhouse Publishing. Additionally, to ensure alignment of the program with the curriculum standards and obtain quality assurance of the resources to be used in implementing the program, technical assistance coming from the Bureau of Curriculum Development, Bureau of Learning Delivery, and Bureau of Learning Resources will be provided.
Lastly, the Literacy Coordinating Council, through its Secretariat, commits to advocating for the program on the ground by introducing it to the local government units that have local literacy councils and are active partners of the Council in universalizing literacy in the country. The LCC, together with the DepEd, looks forward to building a partnership with organizations like 1986 Summerhouse Publishing that are eager to improve the literacy skills of Filipino learners. This goes without saying that it is the Council’s privilege to share the vision and journey to work toward the goal of universalizing literacy in the country.
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.
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.
On June 13-17, 2022, the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) through its National Literacy Awards (NLA) Board of Judges (BOJ) for Special Award of Excellence in Literacy (SAEL) category conducted an onsite validation with SULADS Philippines in Valencia City, Bukidnon.
Upon the arrival of the LCC validation team, Ptr. Ephraim Pitogo of SULADS, in collaboration with DepEd Regional Office X and Malaybalay City Schools Division Office prepared a simple welcome program at Loiza’s Pavilion in Malaybalay City where an initial presentation of SULADS’ literacy programs was showcased. It also featured sharing of inspiring testimonies from various groups, including program organizers, implementors, partners, and beneficiaries. On the next day, an Opening Conference was organized at Mountain View College in Valencia City, Bukidnon. This allowed the validation team to get to know SULADS’ literacy programs, people, and processes up close. During the said activity, deaf learners, Indigenous Peoples (IP) learners, selected DepEd focal persons, SULADS key officials and volunteers were present to share their experiences while being actively involved in the discussion during the Open Forum. Aside from the Opening Conference, the LCC Validation Team also spent the rest of the week by conducting ocular visits to some of the sites where SULADS’ literacy programs are being facilitated such as the SULADS Deaf Literacy Center located in Malaybalay City and SULADS Comprehensive High School for the LUMADS in Lumintao, Quezon. The LCC validation team was also able to experience the challenges yet fulfilling hike that SULADS teacher volunteers would normally do when visiting Barangay Lumintao. Indeed, the richness of the culture, the warm welcome and hunger for literacy of the IP communities on the mountaintop would equal to none, especially after hearing all their stories of literacy and its impact to their lives.
Ms. Susan M. Carandang from the National Economic and Development Authority served as one of the BOJs for the SAEL category of NLA. Other members of the BOJ are Mr. Addie T. Unsi from The Asia Foundation and Atty. Katryn Cadiente from the Office of Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian. The BOJ members were accompanied by the LCC Secretariat (LCCS) staff composed of Mr. Enrico R. Mendoza, Ms. Czarina D. Abellonar and Ms. Jem Beryline S. Bualat.
The LCCS would like to take this opportunity to extend its gratitude to SULADS Philippines through Ptr. Pitogo and his team, DepEd RO X, the IP communities, partners, and other individuals who actively participated in and assisted the validation team during the entire duration of the field visit.
The final list of NLA winners, inclusive of the SAEL and regular NLA Search, will be revealed during the conduct of the 2022 NLA Awarding Ceremonies. Final details on the said upcoming event will be announced through a formal communication and through the LCC’s official website at https://lcc.deped.gov.ph and Facebook page at: https://facebook.com/LiteracyCoordinatingCouncil.
While facilitating the conduct of the onsite validation for the 2022 National Literacy Awards in Region X, the LCC Secretariat had a privilege of having a brief visit to the Malaybalay City ALS CLC, the 2020-2021 National Winner of the Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Curriculum and Instruction or SAFE CI. Not only the CLC is award-winning and highly commendable, but also the ALS teachers, Division and Regional ALS focal persons, as well as their DepEd officials. Congratulations! We sincerely appreciate your outstanding contributions to the universalization of literacy in the Philippines.
Pursuant to its legal mandate to assist in identifying successful management schemes of literacy programs, adopt measures, and boost research and development work in literacy by government agencies and non-governmental organizations involved in literacy work, the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) has launched the National Literacy Awards in 1994 which gives out award and recognitions to outstanding local government units and non-government organizations that carried out best practices which helped in alleviating poverty and providing livelihood opportunities, among others.
In 2009, the LCC has decided to give out for the first time the highest literacy award entitled Special Award of Excellence in Literacy (SAEL) that is given to Hall of Fame awardees—first placers of the regular search for outstanding local government units and literacy programs who maintained their ranks for three years.
Aside from the national recognition and plaques the SAEL awardees have received from LCC, the Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation Inc. (CLFI), a non-stock, non-profit charitable represented by its President, Dr. Jean Henri D. Lhuillier has went above and beyond by serving as the official benefactor of cash component of said highest literacy award. This has paved way in cementing the partnership between the LCC and CLFI in its pursuit to universalize literacy in the country through the National Literacy Awards.
At the present time and in line with the preparation for the 2022 National Literacy Awards, the LCC and CLFI has revisited its long-standing partnership and has come into an agreement on the sponsorship of the LCC for the awardees of the Special Award of Excellence in Literacy leading to the provision of the CLFI of a total of Php300,000 for the designated recipient/s of the SAEL category for the 2022 NLA.
Photo taken during the virtual meeting of LCCS and CLFI last March 24, 2022, via Zoom
The LCC takes this opportunity to sincerely express its gratitude and appreciation for the unfaltering support of the CLFI to the endeavors of the Council. Beyond the sponsorship, the LCC believes that partners like CLFI plays a pivotal role in intensifying efforts to universalize literacy in the country. The LCC would also like to seize this chance and invite potential partners to heed to the call for more allies in rallying with the LCC in the universalization of literacy. Should you be interested, kindly reach out to LCC through lcc@deped.gov.ph or through its Facebook page, Literacy Coordinating Council.
Now, more than ever, we need all the support that we can get as we all strive to build a better Philippines by creating and sustaining literate environments.
LCC in Partnership with Education Network (E-Net) Philippines Celebrates Literacy Champions’ Innovations and Contributions through the Conduct of the 2021 LCC-NGO Forum
22 November 2021 – The Department of Education, through the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) Conducts the 2021 LCC-NGO Forum in Celebration of the Innovations and Contributions of Literacy Champions from NGOs and LGUs and Gather Policy Recommendations from Various Stakeholders
Anchored in its vision to universalize literacy in the country by forging partnerships and linkages among literacy champions, the LCCS, in cooperation with Education Network (E-Net) Philippines, has conducted its first virtual 2021 LCC-NGO Forum with the theme, CSO-LGU Partnerships: Sustaining Literacy Advocacy in the New Normal and Beyond last November 16-17, 2021. In this year’s conduct of the forum, the LCC aimed to broaden CSO-LGU Partnerships to sustain literacy advocacy in the new normal beyond, provide a platform to share best practices and innovations in literacy advocacy, and develop evidence-based policy recommendations gathered from various literacy stakeholders.
Having the unprecedented disruptions and massive changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the LCC acknowledges the hard work and contributions of different stakeholders from various sectors that managed to proactively work on sustaining the literacy advocacy in the country. Among these stakeholders came from Civil Society organizations (CSOs), People’s Organizations (POs), Nongovernment Organizations (NGOs), and the Local Government Units (LGUs).
The 2-day event focused on three significant and relevant topics namely, (1) Good Practices and Innovations in Literacy Within the Framework of Lifelong Learning, (2) Literacy Advocacy: Adapting to the New Normal and Moving Forward and Beyond the Pandemic, and (3) Strengthening CSO-LGU Partnerships for Literacy. The forum was graced with the presence of esteemed guest speakers who brought great impact and contribution to the advocacy of literacy during the normal beyond. Viewers and participants were also given the opportunity to raise concerns, questions, and clarifications to the speakers during the Open Forum.
On top of that, the goal to gather policy recommendations was achieved by giving the participants the opportunity to submit their policy recommendations which were responded to by the Forum’s honorable guest, Hon. Roman T. Romulo, Representative of the Lone District of Pasig City. Moreover, Cong. Romulo has also expressed his support and appreciation to the efforts made by LCC and E-Net Philippines. It was affirmed that universalization of literacy in the country is a shared vision and remains to be an utmost priority as he shared some of the initiatives and policies currently being pushed for in Congress relative to literacy.
The forum concluded with 250 attendees on Zoom and a combined of 15,000 viewers in the live coverage of the event streamed through the Literacy Coordinating Council, E-Net Philippines, and DepEd Philippines Facebook pages. The LCCS is more than grateful for the participation and support of literacy advocates in the universalization of literacy in the country. The recorded live stream is available for viewing on the mentioned Facebook pages and all presentation materials used during the forum are uploaded on the LCC website at https://lcc.deped.gov.ph/ under the LCC_NGO Forum webpage.
The LCC treats the success of the event with the highest regard and is looking forward to the active participation of its fellow literacy advocates in the next year’s LCC-NGO Forum. As highlighted by DepEd Undersecretary Diosdado M. San Antonio, literacy advocacy is a responsibility shared not only of the Department of Education but of CSOs, LGUs, and the citizens. Now, more than ever, our Bayanihan spirit has paved the way for us to work together in creating highly literate Filipinos.
For more information, contact LCC through email at lcc@deped.gov.ph.