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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Caritas Philippines will formalize their partnership on Friday, (November 7), through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of the Tara, Basa! Sa Barrio program in urban poor communities and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs). The partnership aims to bring the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program to more learners, families, and college youth volunteers, particularly in urban poor communities and remote barangays. Prior to the MOA signing, an initial coordination meeting was held on October 30 between the Tara, Basa! National Program Management Office (NPMO) and Caritas Philippines at the Obispado de Novaliches in Quezon City, where both parties agreed to jointly implement the Tara, Basa! sa Barrio initiative starting this month of November in selected sites in Laguna and Quezon City. Under the partnership, Caritas Philippines will help identify and mobilize college students who will serve as tutors and youth development workers (YDWs) and learners who are struggling or non-readers. The Kabataan sa Bagong Pilipinas will teach children aged 7 to 10 from low-income families to improve their reading abilities, while the YDWs will capacitate parents through the Nanay-Tatay Teacher Sessions that reinforce family support in their children’s learning. Launched in August 2023, the Tara Basa! Tutoring Program is a reformatted educational assistance initiative that promotes a holistic learning environment by engaging college students to be part of nation building. The Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program has already reached more than 300,000 beneficiaries since 2023, empowering college students as nation-builders and helping children catch up in reading proficiency. “Since inumpisahan natin itong programa, marami na ang nagbahagi ng malaki ang nakita nilang improvement, hindi lang sa pagbabasa kundi sa relasyon ng mga magulang sa kanilang mga anak. Bukod dito natutulungan natin ang mga college students sa mga public at state universities na magkaroon ng dagdag na suporta sa kanilang gastusin sa kolehiyo,” Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also DSWD spokesperson, said on Thursday (November 6). President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. also highlighted the importance of the Tara, Basa! program as a community-based response to education gaps, noting the significant benefit it brings to children and parents. The DSWD spokesperson said the partnership with Caritas Philippines marks a breakthrough in the implementation of this innovative program for the youth. “Sa pakikipagtulungan natin with Caritas Philippines at pagdala ng Tara Basa! Sa Barrio, mas marami pa tayong maaabot na tunay na nangangailangan ng tulong,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao pointed out. (KI)
