ILOILO – The Iloilo Provincial Government has rallied more local government units (LGUs) to take direct responsibility in improving children’s reading skills through the expansion of its flagship literacy initiative, Bulig Eskwela sa Pagbasa (BESBasa), which now emphasizes stronger local accountability.
The expansion was formalized during the BESBasa Orientation facilitated by the Provincial Education Core Group (EDCORE), where newly participating municipalities — including Leganes, Alimodian, Tigbauan, Igbaras, Ajuy, and Bingawan — joined pilot LGUs such as Oton, San Miguel, Janiuay, Lambunao, Dingle, and Carles. The event culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Iloilo Provincial Government and partner LGUs.
Third District Board Member Jason Gonzales, chair of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s Committee on Education, underscored that accountability among local leaders is key to the program’s success.
“The heart of the program is accountability. If the mayor owns the responsibility, change happens,” Gonzales said, stressing that the active participation of local chief executives will drive lasting improvements in literacy.
The BESBasa initiative — an offshoot of the province’s Proof of Concept (POC) project on the devolution of basic education services—aims to ensure that every child in Iloilo learns to read proficiently.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias presented data showing that nine out of ten learners in pilot areas can now read effectively following the intensive teacher training under the POC.
“If we can make kids able to read, learning will be easier,” Banias said, reiterating Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.’s directive to scale up the initiative to all 43 municipalities and component cities in Iloilo.
Built on the pillars of accountability, support, and sustainability, BESBasa includes teacher capacity-building, the distribution of instructional materials, and consistent learner assessment. For school year 2024–2025, early data shows that 90 percent of pupils in covered areas have achieved reading proficiency, with half already reading at grade level.
Through BESBasa, the provincial government aims not only to boost literacy but also to build a stronger foundation for lifelong learning — fulfilling the vision of an empowered and globally competitive Iloilo./PN