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.