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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Bam Aquino cites Iloilo Proof of Concept education reform program

Bam Aquino cites Iloilo Proof of Concept education reform program

Published Feb 2, 2026 12:00 pm
SEN. Bam Aquino with Gov. Arthur ‘Toto’ Defensor Jr., Vice Gov. Lee Ann Debuque, and provincial officials during a recent visit. (Iloilo Capitol PIO)
SEN. Bam Aquino with Gov. Arthur ‘Toto’ Defensor Jr., Vice Gov. Lee Ann Debuque, and provincial officials during a recent visit. (Iloilo Capitol PIO)
ILOILO CITY – Sen. Bam Aquino cited Iloilo province for its Proof of Concept education reform program that improved literacy rates.
“When they started, the literacy rate of Grade 3 students was only at 30 percent and it is now at 90 percent,” said Aquino who added the program hopes to improve basic education with real and doable solutions.
An initiative of the administration of Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr., the POC is a devolution program that gives local government units (LGUs) in 11 towns of Iloilo and Iloilo City the responsibility in handling basic education programs.
Aquino lauded the POC as the Senate received last week the final report of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom II).
He said the POC was successful in improving learners’ proficiency through the proper use of funds and instituting accountability.
Education is generally the mandate of the Department of Education (DepEd) but the Defensor administration implemented POC to give core responsibility to LGUs and improve the quality of basic education.
The POC kicked off 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.
The pilot POC program was tested in Cabatuan, Guimbal, Igbaras, Maasin, Batad, Lemery, Mina, Leganes, Pavia, Barotac Viejo, and Sara towns.
While not under the jurisdiction of Iloilo provincial government, the POC also included Iloilo City.
The POC was initially implemented in partnership with the Synergeia Foundation Inc. and LGUs.
The POC received funds raised by DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara when he was senator and the Coca-Cola Foundation.
Iloilo third district Board Member Jason Gonzales said the funding enabled LGUs to procure textbooks and other learning materials while allocating funds for capacity-building programs of school principals and teachers.

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