THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said more than 133,000 people have benefited from the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program.
The number includes child learners, parents, tutors and youth development workers (YDWs).
DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said participating regions reported a strong start and positive feedback from beneficiaries during the initial implementation of the program.
“The 20-day tutorial and parenting sessions of the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program have started successfully, and at present, 57,291 child beneficiaries and parents or guardians are benefiting from it, while 11,468 tutors and 7,570 Youth Development Workers are actively serving communities nationwide,” Dumlao said.
The DSWD Field Office in Soccsksargen reported that around 15,000 beneficiaries attended the first day of tutorial sessions, including 6,607 parents and child learners, 1,321 tutors and 661 YDWs.
In Central Luzon, the DSWD said 1,368 tutors and YDWs successfully applied their capability-building training to assist 4,284 child learners and parents during the opening sessions.
The DSWD’s Mimaropa office also recorded 600 additional enrollees after the first sessions, bringing the region’s total beneficiaries to 5,888, composed of parents, children, tutors and YDWs.
Dumlao said the program continues to strengthen low-income families and student volunteers through a community-based cash-for-work initiative that supports education, livelihood and nation-building efforts.
To ensure safe and productive learning spaces, the DSWD partnered with 122 higher education institutions, 2,612 elementary schools and 196 local government units nationwide.
Parent-beneficiary Melody Mendoza of Nueva Vizcaya said the program has become an important support system for her son, who has an early developmental condition and difficulty speaking and reading.
Meanwhile, YDW Shamae Espina of North Eastern Mindanao State University said the program equipped her with skills to guide parents in sustaining literacy practices at home while learning from their own experiences.
