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VP Sara urges Filipinos: Discover the joy of reading

Philippines | National

VP Sara urges Filipinos: Discover the joy of reading

By Raymund Antonio

Vice President Sara Duterte (MB File Photo)

Vice President Sara Duterte (MB File Photo)

Vice President Sara Duterte is urging Filipinos to discover the joy of reading and improve their comprehension skills to be critical thinkers and make informed decisions for their future.

In a video message for the National Book Week, the official underscored the importance of literacy and how it can help people not only shape their futures but address the challenges of times.

“This National Book Week, I urge every Filipino to discover the joy of reading to enrich their understanding,” she said.

The official pointed out how reading comprehension begins as a daily practice at home and in schools, describing it as “the key to thinking critically and questioning what they encounter.”

“When our youth can truly comprehend what they read, they are empowered to make informed decisions, demand accountability, and actively shape their own futures,” Duterte added.

She cited the 2024 Functional Literacy Survey, which revealed that although nine out of 10 Filipinos have basic literacy, only seven out of 10 aged 10 years old to 64 are considered functionally literate.

“This stark gap reveals a critical challenge—many Filipinos struggle with the deep comprehension needed for informed citizenship,” the official lamented.

By reading, the Vice President said that wisdom and perception will widen to prepare people “to confront and overcome the pressing challenges of our time.”

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