The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has reiterated its commitment to strengthening grassroots engagement and inclusive social development through the nationwide implementation of its Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program (TBTP) and other core social protection services.

“Patuloy po na tinututukan ng ating kalihim na si Secretary Rex Gatchalian ang nationwide implementation ng Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program nang sa ganun ay maintindihan at malaman niya kung gaano ito nakatutulong sa ating mga benepisyaryo at paano pa ito mapagbubuti. Alinsunod din ito sa kautusan ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., na tiyaking may kaparehong oportunidad sa edukasyon at pagbabasa ang mga nasa malalayong lugar sa mga nakatira sa siyudad,” Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD spokesperson, said on Tuesday (June 2).

In line with this mission, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian visited Barangay Kematu in T’Boli, South Cotabato last May 28 to interact with program beneficiaries and oversee the TBTP tutoring sessions.

The DSWD chief was able to engage with 30 child-learners, 30 parent-beneficiaries, six tutors, and three Youth Development Workers (YDWs).

The tutoring sessions serve as a concrete example of how collaborative and focused learning approaches improve children’s confidence, reading habits, and school participation while strengthening parental involvement in education.

“Ang pagbisita ni Secretary Rex sa mismong implementation site ay nagpapakita ng dedikasyon ng DSWD sa grassroots engagement at inclusive social development. Gusto nating makausap directly ang mga learners, parents, tutors, at YDWs para ma-assess yung totoong impact ng programa at ma-recognize ang collective efforts ng komunidad sa ating mga learning initiatives,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.

The DSWD chief also attended the TBTP tutoring sessions’ culminating activity in the municipality of T’boli to formally recognize the commitment and accomplishments of the program’s participants.

The activity celebrated the successful tutoring sessions held in three participating elementary schools: Edwards Elementary School, Lugan Central Elementary School, and T’boli Integrated School.

The program collectively served 240 parent and learner beneficiaries, the majority of whom belong to Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities.

To support this, the Department deployed 30 youth beneficiaries serving as tutors and YDWs across the identified areas.

“Alam natin na sa mga geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas o GIDAs, limited talaga ang access sa learning support interventions. Nagre-result ito sa reading difficulties ng mga bata, reduced parental engagement, at limited opportunities para sa mga kabataan. Kaya para ma-sustain natin ang learning recovery efforts lalo na sa mga IP communities, kailangan talaga ng strong collaboration in schools, pamilya, local government units, at ng ating partner stakeholders,” the DSWD spokesperson pointed out.

As part of the development tour, Secretary Gatchalian led a ‘kamustahan session’ to celebrate the outstanding achievements of 22 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT) topnotchers, which includes the top 1 board passer.

The honorees were all former TBTP Youth Tutors and YDWs, with nine of the topnotchers all former monitored children of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Three of the honorees were also recognized as TBTP youth partners.

The achievement of the board passers reflects how sustained support, access to educational opportunities, and youth engagement initiatives can contribute to development and open pathways toward professional success.

“Itong Kumustahan Session ay isang napakagandang platform para personal na ma-recognize at makausap ni Secretary ang ating mga LEPT topnotchers. Nakapag-share sila ng kanilang mga naging journeys, challenges, at achievements bilang dating beneficiaries na ngayon ay licensed educators at top-performing professionals na. It reinforces the Department’s commitment na i-empower ang kabataang Pilipino at mag-inspire pa ng current beneficiaries natin through real-life stories of resilience and perseverance,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said. (KB)