The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) launched Tara Basa Tutoring Program’s (TBTP) fourth year of nationwide implementation, commencing the 20-day tutorial sessions on Monday (May 4).

Undersecretary Edu Punay of the DSWD’s Innovations and Program Development Group (IPDG), who concurrently serves as the TBTP National Program Director, said that the Kabataan sa Bagong Pilipinas serving as tutors and youth development workers (YDWs) stand ready to serve 57,291 child learners and parent beneficiaries.

“Today, our tutors and YDWs will start their journey in teaching beneficiaries in various partnered Department of Education (DepEd) schools. We made sure that our Kabataan sa Bagong Pilipinas are equipped with the right skills, knowledge, and confidence to help our struggling readers and learners to learn how to read and to be grade-level ready, and encourage parents to better support their children at home, as they are the child’s first teacher, particularly on their educational needs,” Undersecretary Punay said.

For calendar year (CY) 2026, a total of 11,468 tutors and 7,570 YDWs will lead the Tara, Basa! sessions.

The program engages college students as tutors who teach struggling or non-readers, and as YDWs who equip parents to become primary educators at home through targeted parenting sessions.

The National Capital Region recorded the highest number of youth partner beneficiaries, deploying 2,600 tutors and 1,413 YDWs.

Helping the Department for the TBTP’s implementation, the number of youth partner beneficiaries in the different regions are as follows: Region 1 (Ilocos Region) with 290 tutors and 242 YDWs; Region 3 (Central Luzon) with 857 tutors and 511 YDWs; Region 4A – CALABARZON with 1,050 tutors and 617 YDWs; Region MIMAROPA with 500 tutors and 388 YDWs; Region 5 (Bicol Region) with 800 tutors and 552 YDWs; Region 7 (Central Visayas) with 1,110 tutors and 760 YDWs; Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) with 1,000 tutors and 727 YDWs; Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) with 700 tutors and 601 YDWs; Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) with 454 tutors and 329 YDWs; Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN) with 1,321 tutors and 847 YDWs; Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) with 346 tutors and 195 YDWs; and CARAGA Region with 440 tutors and 388 YDWs.

Undersecretary Punay urged all parent beneficiaries to consistently attend their assigned tutoring schedules and ensure their children’s presence to maximize the program’s benefits.

“Dapat lang na laging present ang ating mga registered child and parents sa mga sessions. Kung ang learner lang ang present during the session, tatanggapin pa rin natin ito, pero syempre hindi makakatanggap ng participation incentive ang parent that day. On the other hand, kung wala naman ang bata pero present ang parent, accepted pa rin ito with incentives, pero syempre strictly encouraging tayo na bitbitin lagi ang child learner dahil para sa kanila ang programa,” Undersecretary Punay pointed out.

Overall, the TBTP targets 133,620 beneficiaries, comprising incoming Grade 2 learners, parents, tutors, and YDWs across the country.

Now in its fourth year of implementation, the TBTP empowers low-income families and college students through a community-based cash-for-work (CFW) initiative that actively contributes to nation-building.

In exchange for their 20-day service, the program compensates these students with the Regional Daily Minimum Wage (RDMW), driving community development while delivering vital educational and social protection. (KB)