On March 25–28, 2025, the Department of Education (DepEd), through the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC), successfully conducted the Regional Capacity Building on LCC Localization at the DepEd Ecotech Center in Lahug, Cebu City!
Bringing together local government unit (LGU) representatives and select DepEd Alternative Learning System (ALS) focal persons from across the Visayas region, the four-day event was designed to capacitate LGUs to establish and strengthen Local Literacy Councils (LLCs) and implement inclusive, data-driven, and sustainable literacy programs in their communities.
Resource speakers shared best practices, policy frameworks, and strategic tools to localize literacy initiatives effectively. Highlights included inspiring success stories from Bacnotan, La Union, and Ormoc City, showcasing how collaboration and commitment can lead to real progress in literacy development.
Participants engaged in action planning workshops, interactive sessions, and rich discussions focused on community engagement, strategic communication, and cross-sector partnerships—all anchored in the goal of universalizing literacy across the country.
We thank all our partners, resource speakers, and participants who continue to champion literacy in every city, municipality, and barangay. Together, let us make every Filipino literate!
Pasig City, 14 April 2025 – The World Literacy Foundation recognizes individuals and organizations for their outstanding endeavors that promote literacy learning through the World Literacy Awards. The Awards are an initiative of the World Literacy Foundation, a peak global literacy charity and the World Literacy Council. One of the categories of the awards is “Significant Contribution to Literacy by a Nation,” being bestowed upon a government entity for its outstanding government policies and improvements in literacy and education.
This year, the World Literacy Foundation gave this award to the Philippines. A special recognition was given to the Department of Education’s Literacy Coordinating Council for its recent establishment of 300 local literacy centers across 1,634 cities and municipalities nationwide. On behalf of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, Ambassador Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. accepted the award at an awarding ceremony held in Oxford, United Kingdom on April 7, 2025. The Philippines was the only country honored at this year’s ceremony, underscoring the international recognition of its national efforts to improve literacy.
Photo courtesy of the World Literacy Foundation
“We are honored by this recognition…, which affirms what we’ve long believed – literacy thrives when communities lead. Thanks to the Literacy Coordinating Council, over 300 local literacy centers are now turning education initiatives to lasting change. With the continued support from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and our partner agencies, we aim to bring this momentum to every city and municipality, building a more informed and future-ready Philippines,” says Education Secretary Sonny Angara.
The LCC was commended for its strong advocacy and support in the establishment of local literacy councils in cities and municipalities across the country, through its localization program. These local councils serve as local governance mechanisms that ensure literacy programs are implemented in ways that are tailored to the unique needs of each community. One of the most significant contributions of these local councils is the establishment of community learning centers. These centers act as hubs for non-formal education and community-based literacy programs. Depending on the locality, they are known by various names such as reading centers, Alternative Learning System (ALS) centers, and learning hubs, but all serve the common goal of empowering learners through accessible, relevant, and quality education services.
To date, there are more than 300 active local literacy councils operating throughout the Philippines. These councils vary in structure and size but are united in their commitment to improving literacy and education outcomes within their respective communities. Their efforts include:
• Coordinating literacy campaigns and education drives
• Mobilizing community participation and local resources
• Partnering with local schools, NGOs, government agencies, and the private sector
• Establishing and maintaining community learning centers
• Supporting literacy mapping and data collection
• Implementing community-based literacy programs
These grassroots mechanisms allow literacy programs to be implemented with a deeper understanding of local context and culture, making interventions more effective and sustainable.
In a show of sustained commitment to celebrating grassroots literacy champions, the LCC also leads the National Literacy Awards (NLA)—a biennial recognition program that honors outstanding Local Government Units (LGUs) and literacy workers who have demonstrated innovation and dedication in implementing literacy initiatives.
Through the NLA, LGUs with active and effective local literacy councils are spotlighted and rewarded for their contributions to national development through education. This recognition not only boosts morale but also encourages other LGUs to invest in and prioritize literacy programming.
Photo courtesy of the Department of Foreign Affairs
DepEd warmly welcomes the international recognition accorded to the Philippines through the World Literacy Award. This highlights the collective efforts of the Literacy Coordinating Council in promoting inclusive, community-based education. We thank the World Literacy Foundation and remain committed to reaching every Filipino learner and building a more literate, empowered nation.
With the support local chief executives and the whole community, we hope to reach more cities and municipalities and encourage them to put up their own local councils and establish more literacy centers.
DepEd, DILG Reinforce Creation of Local Literacy Councils in LGUs
Pasig City, Philippines – As part of their continued effort to support the Literacy Coordinating Council’s (LCC) mandate to boost literacy efforts across the country, the Department of Education (DepEd), under the leadership of Secretary Sonny Angara, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), headed by Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla, officially signed Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, Series of 2024, titled “Creation, Reconstitution, and Strengthening of Local Literacy Councils at the City and Municipal Levels”.
The JMC, which took effect on February 27, 2025, provides key guidelines and procedures in creating, reconstituting, and strengthening Local Literacy Councils (LLCs) at the city and municipal levels. It also enumerates the roles and responsibilities of DILG and DepEd in the establishment of LLCs, and outlines the LLCs’ powers and functions.
All local government units (LGUs) nationwide are enjoined to establish or strengthen their own LLC in line with the guidelines set forth in the JMC.
The Literacy Coordinating Council Secretariat (LCCS) successfully held the Local Literacy Councils Summit from November 27 to 29, 2024, at Lime Hotel & Resorts in Pasay City. The event, with the theme “Building a Community of Literacy Champions, Celebrating Wins” brought together over 140 local government units (LGUs) and literacy advocates from various national government agencies (NGAs) and non-government organizations (NGOs). The summit’s primary goal was to foster a community of literacy advocates and exchange best practices for establishing and enhancing Local Literacy Councils. It also served as a platform for stakeholders to share feedback and propose policies to support the LCC Localization Program, which seeks to engage more partners in making every Filipino literate.
Councilor Antonino Calixto of Pasay City delivered a warm welcome on behalf of Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano at the event. Consequently, Asec. Janir Ty Datukan, DepEd Assistant Secretary for Curriculum and Teaching stated the purpose of the activity. He enjoined the participants to leverage the insights that they will have during the three-day summit to advocate literacy initiatives at the grassroots level.
Councilor Antonino Calixto
Pasay City Councilor
Asec. Janir Ty Datukan
Department of Education
Assistant Secretary for Curriculum and Teaching
Among the DepEd Regional Alternative Learning System (ALS) Focal Persons were Dr. Antonio V. Laceste from Region I, Dr. Jean S. Lasquite from Region IV-B, and Dr. Maricel S. Langahid from Region XI, who participated in plenary sessions. Notable presentations included those from Mayor Maria Ester Escasa-Hamor of Sorsogon City, Mayor Divine Fontanilla of Bacnotan, La Union, and representatives from Balanga, Bataan, and Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte. Dr. Milwida M. Guevarra, President and CEO of Synergeia Foundation, one of the LCC Council members, delivered a presentation emphasizing the critical role of LGUs in creating sustainable grassroots change to uplift community quality of life. Regional Alternative Learning System (ALS) Focal Persons showcased best practices through a gallery walk, with LGU delegates from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao sharing their initiatives.
Representatives from LCC member agencies, including the Philippine Information Agency, Philippine Normal University, the Senate of the Philippines, the House of Representatives, and Synergeia Foundation, facilitated open forums following each presentation.
Participants actively engaged in discussions, offering insights and voicing their concerns and needs regarding their literacy programs. The summit concluded with a vibrant celebration, marking the formation of a strong network of literacy champions committed to advancing literacy initiatives nationwide.
The LCC Secretariat also wishes to extend its gratitude to Pasay City LGU for allowing Pasay City West High School to present a spectacular cultural performance during the Opening Program.
Sa pangunguna ng Literacy Coordinating Council Secretariat (LCCS), nagsama-sama ang mga kinatawan mula sa mga piling ahensya ng gobyerno para sa isang talakayan na may adhikaing maisapinal ang polisiya na magiging gabay ng mga lungsod o munisipalidad sa pagbuo ng local Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC). Ang nasabing okasyon ay idinaos sa Ion Hotel sa Lungsod ng Baguio noong Nobyembe 22 hanggang 25, 2022.
Ang tatlong araw na pagtitipong ito ay pinalooban ng mga diskusyon at talakayang may layuning makabuo ng panibagong Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) ng Department of Education (DepEd) at ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). Isa rin sa hangarin ng nasabing pagtitipon ang mas maayos pa ang pagrebisa sa manwal na magiging gabay sa mga lokal na pamahalaan para makabuo ng kanilang sariling LCC.
Napakahalaga ng talakayang ito dahil ito’y bahagi ng istratehiya at adbokasiya ng LCC upang mapuksa ang illiteracy sa bansa. Sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng JMC na pagtitibayin ng DepEd at DILG at gayun din ang manwal sa pagbuo ng local LCC, mas mapaiigting pa ng LCC ang pagtiyak sa pagpapalaganap ng gobyerno ng mga programa nito may kinalaman sa literasiya.