On October 3, 2022, Dr. Heidi B. Macahilig, Associate Dean and Representative of the Philippine Normal University (PNU) to the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC), presented the National Literacy Framework (NLF) in the 15th National Convention on Statistics (NCS) held on October 3-5,2022 at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City. The NLF is the output of the research study conducted by the LCC in partnership with the PNU.
With the theme “Boosting the Country’s Recovery with Informed Decisions, Better Policies,” the said convention emphasizes the importance of crafting strong and responsive socioeconomic policies based on relevant and reliable statistics for the continuous pursuit of the country’s recovery from the adverse impacts of the pandemic. The objectives of the event are: 1) to provide a forum for exchanging ideas and experiences in the field of statistics and for discussing recent statistical developments and prevailing issues and problems of the Philippines Statistical System (PSS), and 2) to elicit the cooperation and support of statisticians and professionals in related fields from the government, academe and private sector towards a more responsive statistical system. The country’s efforts towards recovery jumpstarted with the adoption of strong responsive socioeconomic policies based on relevant and accurate statistics.
The PSS, by virtue of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Board Resolution No. 01, Series of 2017-073 “Approving the Conduct of the National Convention on Statistics Every Three Years,” conducts the NCS every three years. It is the country’s biggest convergence of statisticians, statistical practitioners, academicians, researchers, students, and media, both from the government and private sectors. The said event included plenary sessions, invited/contributed paper sessions, panel discussions, statistics trainings as well as the Statistical Information Management Exhibit (SIMEX) – a commercial exhibition of the latest software, hardware and other products for statistical information and management.
The NCS has always been a provider of fora for developing new and strengthening partnerships among government agencies, private sector, media, academe, and international organizations. Meanwhile, for this year, the 15th NCS coincides with the opening ceremony of the 33rd National Statistics Month (NSM) dated October 3, 2022.
Through this avenue, the NLF was introduced to various literacy policy makers and stakeholders and hopes to ignite discussions on elevating the quality of literacy in the country in spite of Filipino communities’ diverse profiles and needs especially now, in the face of a crisis. With the development of the NLF, implications on the definition of literacy being used by PSA’s Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS), including the crafting of survey questions may be considered.
The Council continually strives to strengthen its research and development work which aims to come up with evidence-based, relevant, and responsive policies addressing the current literacy needs of the country. Through this, the Council will be able to also develop strategies, programs, and initiatives on literacy education that will in turn help produce 21st century lifelong learners and citizens.
To view and get a copy of the technical report of the NLF, kindly visit this link (https://lcc.deped.gov.ph/NLFCopy).
Make sure to check on the Council’s latest programs, projects, and activities via LCC Secretariat’s official Facebook account and LCC website.
Jem Beryline S. Bualat
PDO II, LCC Secretariat
