The Department of Education (DepEd) has released the implementing guidelines for the P100-million Bayang Bumabasa Fund, formally opening applications for 131 priority public schools identified as needing urgent literacy support.

In a statement issued on December 23, DepEd said the guidelines are contained in DepEd Memorandum No. 111, s. 2025, issued through the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) following the nationwide rollout of the Bayang Bumabasa Initiative (BBI).

Under the program, each eligible school may receive up to P1 million in Needs-Based Program Support Funds (PSF) to support targeted literacy interventions for learners in Grades 1 to 3. The priority schools were identified using results from the Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment (CRLA).

To access the funding, School Heads of qualified schools are required to submit two key documents designed to address their learners’ specific literacy needs:

Literacy Improvement Plan (LIP) – a data-driven plan outlining target learners, timelines, and interventions to close identified literacy gaps; and

Funding Plan (FP) – an itemized budget aligned with the approved LIP.

DepEd said both documents must be anchored on school-level data and aligned with the School Improvement Plan (SIP).

The memorandum specifies that the PSF may only be used for literacy-related expenses, including learning resources such as reading materials, supplies, and student consumables identified in the SIP, as well as equipment limited to semi-expendable property items costing below P50,000, in accordance with government accounting and procurement rules.

In line with the government’s “whole-of-nation” approach, DepEd said schools are required to coordinate with their respective Local Literacy Councils (LLCs) or Local School Boards (LSBs) to strengthen program implementation.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the fund is meant to empower schools and mobilize communities in addressing learning gaps.

“This grant is more than just financial aid; it is a message to our farthest schools that they are not forgotten,” Angara said, noting that DepEd is empowering School Heads to build the learning environments their students deserve.

He also called on mayors and communities to stand with school officials in implementing the literacy initiative.

“When a community unites to support its children, we can rewrite the future,” Angara said. “We are confident that with this support, our students will not just catch up, but thrive,” he added.

Angara further said that when communities unite to support early learners, students are given a better chance not only to recover lost skills but also to excel.

DepEd also urged private sector and civil society partners to extend complementary support to the identified priority schools.

DepEd said the PSF may be utilized until December 31, 2026.

To ensure transparency and accountability, School Heads must submit quarterly liquidation and accomplishment reports, while Schools Division Offices (SDOs) are mandated to conduct at least two on-site inspections during the implementation period.

The complete list of eligible schools and detailed application procedures are available in DepEd Memorandum No. 111, s. 2025, which may be downloaded from the DepEd website.