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USEC Bacani woos LGUs to enhance support of ALS
by Cathy Apelacio

ALABEL, Sarangani (4 July 2005) -- Department of Education Undersecretary Ramon Bacani urged the local government units here to help the national government in the popularization of literacy program in the province.

"We know that the LGUs have been supporting our educational efforts especially in Formal Education but we are appealing that added attention should also be devoted to out-of-school youth and adult illiterates," he told the audience comprised mostly of representatives of local chief executives from the seven municipalities, Alternative Learning System (ALS) Coordinators, non-governmental organization, and the media.

He also commended the local governments in making literacy program part of their plans and programs stressing that "investments in ALS are as important as the investments in formal education."

Aimed at motivating the local government chief executives to include literacy program in their development plans, the one-day Briefing/Orientation on the Universalization of Literacy Program ended successfully with a plan of actions on June 24.

The Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) sponsored and organized respectively the event geared toward promoting literacy program all over the country.

Director Emelyn Libunao, Project Division of PIA Central Office underscored the importance of the activity particularly in eliminating illiteracy in the Philippines.

She said the team lead by LCC would be moving around the provinces to promote the universalization of literacy program among LGUs.

Sarangani Provincial Administrator Fredo Basino, representing Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez, in his welcome address said the provincial government has been responding positively to the call of promoting literacy program among poorly educated sectors of society.

He said the province particularly the Office of the Governor, is strengthening the Madaris Program in line with the 10-point agenda of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo specifically on making education accessible to all.

According to him, the program, which has a funding allocation of P2.2 million, is aimed at uplifting the socio-cultural and economic condition of Muslim communities by providing them education in Arabic literacy integrating the core values of peace and development.

Basino also articulated the launching of the Sarangani Integrated Literacy and Livelihood for the Indigenous People (SILLIP) under Vice Governor Bridget Chiongbian-Huang to provide far-flung children of indigenous peoples (IPs) easy access to education and their parents a decent income.

Emphasizing the importance of "addressing the need of adult illiterates most especially the out-of-school youth," Department of the Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary Austere Panadero described these sectors as human resources that are "key elements for development."

"They are human resources that are needed to drive our economy and if they are not functionally literate, then we have a problem, that's why they should properly be given attention to and be made productive and responsible members of society," he added.

Both Bacani and Panadero, in closing emphasized that ALS can only be successful if LGUs and concerned national line agencies get actively involved and cooperate as partners in the program implementation. (PIA SarGen)

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