In 2018, the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC), through its Member Agency, the Philippine Normal University, conducted a research study on the Foundational Framework for Exemplary Community-Based Literacy Programs and Engagement and underwent its validation in 2019. The said project sought to have the standards of framework be institutionalized in every Local Government Unit (LGU) in the Philippines through relevant policies which advance the standards or framework. Once policies are institutionalized, the nation is expected to be empowered and advanced through the application and implementation of the framework in every community. The elements of the foundational framework are: 1) Quality Management and Leadership; 2) Legal Bases; 3) Program Implementation Strategies; 4) Aligned and Articulated Vision, Mission, Goals, Objectives, and Agenda; 5) Inter-agency and Inter-stakeholder Partnership and Collaboration; 6) Resource Management; 7) Efficient and Regular Monitoring and Evaluation System; 8) Needs-analysis and Data-Driven Program Design; 9) Information Dissemination Strategies; and 10) Efficient Documentation Processes.
Spearheaded by Dr. Judy C. Bautista, the research team conducted a series of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) in the regions recognized by the LCC for having sustained exemplary community literacy programs during the LCC’s National Literacy Conference and Awards (NLCA). The participants in the Phase I of the research study were the program beneficiaries, community workers, and administrators from the following localities: 1) Butuan City; 2) Cuyo, Palawan; 3) Plaridel, Bulacan; 4) Tubungan, Iloilo; 5) Agoo, La Union; 6) Antipolo City; 7) Balanga, Bataan; 8) Davao City; and 9) Tagum City. The outcome of the said research activity was also further validated through a random barangay interviews in the communities.
In 2019, the identified elements of the said framework were validated through a series of FGDs grouped into six (6) clusters. The participants were the LGU representatives, and community workers who have immense experience and knowledge on community-based literacy programs from the National Capital Region (NCR), Regions II, VII, VIII, XI, and XII, specifically held in Quezon City, Tuguegarao City, Cebu City, Tacloban City, Davao City, and General Santos City, respectively.
Together with the LCC Secretariat, the research team during the Phase I were joined by Dr. Bautista, Dr. Merry Ruth M. Gutierrez, Al Ryanne G. Gatcho, and Sammy Q. Dolba. On the other hand, a new set of researchers included in the Phase II were Dr. Ma. Azela L. Tamayo, Dr. Boyet L. Batang, and Dr. Leonora P. Varela, and Dr. Rene Belecina as statistician. Both phases also involved Ivy Joy A. Capunitan, and Roumel D. Anorico who served as encoder, and layout artist, respectively. The next phases of the research endeavor are expected to cover the publication and dissemination of the manual of the foundational framework, and the developed monitoring and evaluation tool to various literacy stakeholders; and its regional orientations across the country.