In a major push to address the learning crisis, the Department of Education (DepEd) has allocated P131 million to 131 priority schools nationwide through its “Bayang Bumabasa” initiative, aiming to accelerate literacy gains and promote equity in education.

In a statement issued Thursday, December 4, DepEd emphasized that the program focuses on young learners in far-flung and disadvantaged communities, providing resources for locally tailored reading programs that meet the unique needs of each school.

"The Bayang Bumabasa Initiative is about equity," said DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara. "We are directing resources specifically to the schools that require the most support—from municipal centers to the most remote communities—to ensure that no school is left behind."

Unveiled at the 2025 National Literacy Conference, DepEd said the initiative provides up to P1 million per school to implement locally responsive and contextualized reading programs.

"We trust our school leaders to know what their students need," Angara added. "Whether it is more books, better reading nooks, or specific teaching tools, this grant empowers them to build the right environment for their learners with the support of their community."

The schools, including 25 in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, were identified through the School Year (SY) 2024–2025 Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment (CRLA), ensuring that aid reaches communities where foundational literacy support is most crucial.

DepEd said the recipient schools span the Philippines’ varied geography. In the north, funds support upland communities such as Capissayan Norte Elementary School in Gattaran, Cagayan.

In the Visayas, the initiative reaches Hiduroma Elementary School in San Jose de Buan, Samar, while in Mindanao, Maguid Elementary School in Sultan Kudarat benefits from the program’s coastal interventions.

Unlike a top-down approach, DepEd said schools will use funds according to their own Literacy Improvement Plans, allowing strategies to be customized to the community context.

Interventions focus on Grade 1 to 3 learners and may include developing localized resources by printing and binding storybooks featuring local folklore and mother-tongue materials; revitalizing learning spaces by transforming classrooms into vibrant reading nooks with carpets, beanbags, and child-friendly shelving (up to P50,000); and procuring semi-expendable instructional tools—such as magnetic letters, flashcards, and reading materials (below P15,000)—for after-school literacy programs.

DepEd said the initiative leverages collaboration among Local Government Units (LGUs), Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs), and civil society. Schools coordinate with Local Literacy Councils (LLCs) or Local School Boards (LSBs) to access funds, while partners like Synergia Foundation help facilitate coordination.

DepEd encouraged mayors to contribute via the Special Education Fund, and TEIs—including the University of the Philippines, De La Salle University, and Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology—deploy pre-service teachers to strengthen literacy instruction.

This collaborative approach—combining DepEd grants, LGU political support, and TEI mentorship—forms the backbone of the Bayang Bumabasa Initiative, ensuring that every learner in the Philippines has the resources and support to achieve literacy success.