PANABO CITY bagged 4th Place Most Outstanding Local Government Unit under Component Cities Category in the 2018 National Literacy Awards (NLA) held on September 5-6, 2018 at Baguio City.
It was the first time that Panabo City was chosen to be in the coveted award since the creation of the National Literacy Coordinating Council in 1991. In a statement of City Mayor James G Gamao, represented by Hon Councilor Wahid Ranain in Baguio City, “This is another pride and joy for Panabo City and a recognition of the city’s relentless efforts to reduce and eventually eliminate illiteracy.” He acknowledged the Literacy Coordinating Council for recognizing the City’s literacy program. “This governance believes that we can best achieve our highest potential as a competitive city by putting value on education,” he added.
Wahid further expressed his gratitude towards the Local and national offices who participated in the literacy programs, saying “May this national recognition fuel our passion and dedication to serve and employ more effective strategies that will lead to economic and social development.”
The 2018 Most Outstanding LGU was Santiago City, followed by Bayugan, Naga, Panabo, and Dagupan City.
FOCUS OF THE VALIDATION
According to the DepEd Memorandum, the focus is on literacy development efforts of the various sectors: agriculture, social services, environment, and other groups such as youth, elderly, women, IPs, and PWDs.
The validation are also based on the following factors: (A) Rationale of the Literacy Program, (B) Program/Project Management and Implementation, (C) Monitoring and Evaluation, (D) Effects or Impact to the community.
ROAD TO LITERACY SUCCESS
The Local Government of Panabo City began with an Executive Order of Mayor James G Gamao to organize a committee called the Local Literacy Coordinating Council headed by the Mayor himself and co-chaired by Dr Dee D Silva, CESO V, the Schools Division Superintendent. Nearly 20 existing city literacy programs were identified for NLA assessment such as the WHAPEE Caravan (A weekly basic services Caravan to all barangays), Employment programs of the City’s Public Employment Services Office (PESO), Disaster Resiliency and Management programs, the Alternative Learning System (ALS), and the Balay Paglaum or the House of Hope (A school catering IP students in the upper area of the City).
In July 2018, the City Government was apprised by the National Literacy Council that it was included in the top 5 for the 2018 NLA Most Outstanding LGU-Component Cities Category. Thus, on August 16-17, the NLA validators made an on-site visit to the many literacy programs of the City and have then appreciated the dedication of the government in attaining the literacy goals.
PARTICIPATING LOCAL AND NATIONAL OFFICES
Key offices who took park in the literacy programs are Department of Education, Public Employment Services Office, Office of the City Mayor, City Administrator’s Office, WHAPEE Caravan, Kuryente Watch Program team, Office of City Muslim Affairs, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Health Office, City Information Office, CSWDO, and Sangguniang Panlungsod.
The National Literacy Award is given to LGUs that have developed and implemented literacy policies, programs, and projects, which have positively created impacts on the quality of life of the people as stated on the DepEd Memorandum Order No. 053, Series 2018.
The NLA aims to recognize best practices in literacy, which help alleviate poverty, provide livelihood, address welfare needs, promote freedom, and make education facilities accessible.
Invest in Literacy, Live in Exellence
