TO improve the learning and reading capabilities of children, Malacanang has institutionalized the “Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program” of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as a flagship program of the Marcos administration.
Executive Order 76, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on the authority of President Marcos Jr. last November 22, states the flagship program “Tara, Basa Tutoring Program” shall be implemented under DSWD in coordination with the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, National Youth Commission, state universities and colleges (SUCs), local government units (LGUs) and other relevant non-government agencies (NGAs) and stakeholders.
The institutionalization of the program aims to ensure the assistance of NGAs and LGUs and encourage the private sector, to establish a collaborative learning program that aims to provide educational opportunities for elementary students and financial assistance to tertiary-level students, parents and guardians.
The EO directs the DSWD to establish key components of the program which include the identification of eligible beneficiaries; formulation of learning and development activities; development of databases for progress reporting; and the creation of evaluation and monitoring framework for the program.
The DSWD shall also determine an appropriate organizational structure, staffing pattern, and corresponding qualification standards for all positions necessary for the implementation of the program and submit for approval by the President and/or the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Funding requirements for the program shall be charged against the current and available budget of concerned agencies while future appropriations shall be included in future budget preparations.
The “Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program” was initially launched by the DSWD on August 2, 2023 as a holistic and community-based social welfare and development program that aims to help elementary learners, who have difficulties learning how to read, to develop their foundational reading skills while offering short-term work for financially challenged tertiary level students.
It serves as a social intervention program catering to three beneficiaries belonging to low-income families, namely, the tertiary level students who shall be deployed as tutors or youth development workers; the parents and guardians of elementary students who are struggling readers; and the elementary students struggling or unable to read.
On November 22, Malacanang also issued Executive Order 75 which strengthens and reorganizes the Center for International Trade Exposition and Mission (CITEM) which now includes the Secretary of Trade and Industry as chairman, and the secretaries of Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, Interior and Local Government, Science and Technology, and Tourism as members.
Also included in the CITEM are the president and general manager of the Government Service Insurance System, (GSIS) and a representative of the private sector who will be appointed by the President.
Among the functions of CITEM include generating a consumer-level awareness and demand for Philippine products globally through in-store promotion and participation in overseas trade fairs, expositions and missions; and implementing industry development programs for export products and services including merchandise and technical assistance programs.
Malacanang, also on November 22, issued Proclamation No. 753 that declared October each year as the “National Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Services Month” which aims to raise awareness and improve productivity and competitiveness, as well as increase income and sustainability in the sector to support farmers, fisherfolks and farm workers in the areas of production, post-harvest processing, marketing, entrepreneurship, management, community organizing, and institutional development.
It also seeks to accelerate the development and delivery of a unified and efficient AF Extension Service, promote nationwide awareness of the role of AF Extension Services in the development of the AF sector, ensure the support of stakeholders in advancing the quality and standard of AF Services in the country, and honor the contribution of agricultural extension workers as frontline actors in technology transfer and facilitators in providing farmers and fisherfolks access to extension services.
Extension services refer to the provision of training, information, and support services by the government and non-government organizations to the agriculture and fishery sectors to improve technical, business and social capabilities.
