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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Iloilo expands reform literacy program for students

Iloilo expands reform literacy program for students

Published Mar 25, 2026 01:27 pm
A memorandum for the expansion of the literacy program BES Basa POC is signed at the Iloilo provincial capitol. (Iloilo Capitol PIO)
A memorandum for the expansion of the literacy program BES Basa POC is signed at the Iloilo provincial capitol. (Iloilo Capitol PIO)
ILOILO CITY – The education reform program that has significantly improved literacy rates among young students has been expanded to other parts of Iloilo province.
The Iloilo provincial government has signed a memorandum for the expansion of the Proof of Concept (POC) for nine towns on Tuesday, March 24.
Based on the model of the Synergia Foundation, the POC is a devolution program that gives local government units (LGUs) the responsibility in handling basic education programs instead of entirely relying on the national government or the Department of Education (DepEd).
The POC is intertwined with the education reform program known as Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya (BES Probins) of the administration of Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Sr.
Known locally as BES Basa POC, the program was hailed by national government officials when it improved literacy rates of Grade 3 students to 90 percent from 30 percent.
The BES Basa POC will be adopted by the LGUs of Banate, Estancia, Ajuy, Bingawan, Badiangan, San Dionisio, Alimodian, Santa Barbara, and Tigbauan.
Pilot areas for the BES Basa POC were the towns of Cabatuan, Guimbal, Igbaras, Maasin, Batad, Lemery, Mina, Leganes, Pavia, Barotac Viejo, and Sara.
BES Basa POC was started in 2024 by the Iloilo provincial government’s Education Core Group (EDCORE) led by Provincial Administrator Raul Banias and Provincial Education Management Office Head Freda Sabanal Fajardo.
Also present during the signing were DepEd Schools Division Superintendent officer-in-charge Dr. Ruby Therese Almencion and Iloilo third district Provincial Board Member Jason Gonzales, chairman of the education committee, and nine municipal mayors.

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