The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program (TBTP), lauded beneficiaries who served as Tutors and Youth Development Workers (YDWs) for emerging as topnotchers in the March 2026 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).

Undersecretary Edu Punay of the DSWD’s Innovations and Program Development Group (IPDG), who also serves as the TBTP National Program Director, personally congratulated all topnotchers and passers, including Monette Lucernas Yap from Mindanao State University (MSU)-General Santos City, who ranked Top 1 in the elementary level of the 2026 LET.

“Congratulations Monette and other former tutors of the DSWD Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program who either topped or passed the licensure exam for teachers with flying colors. We’re truly proud of you! Now it’s time to take a bigger role in nation-building, the way TBTP trained you,” Undersecretary Punay said on Wednesday (May 13).

Undersecretary Punay emphasized that aside from the Cash-for-Work (CFW) grant provided through the TBTP, beneficiaries also participated in capacity-building activities that contributed to their professional growth and prepared them for their chosen careers.

More than 30 tutors and YDWs nationwide were topnotchers in the recent LET. In the elementary level, TBTP beneficiaries from Region 4A-CALABARZON included Michelle Velasco from Southern Luzon State University (SLSU)-Lucban, who ranked Top 3; Aila Prialde from SLSU-Tiaong and Abegail Saguno from PUP-Unisan, who both ranked Top 5; and John David Argente from PNU-SL and Arabelle Lusing from PUP-Unisan, who both ranked 8th.

In Region 8-Eastern Visayas, graduates from Samar State University, namely Michael Angelo Radiang, Moneth Openiano, and Dennis Cabarles, ranked 2nd, 5th, and 7th, respectively.

In Region 10-Northern Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Jyra Trixie Bartolo from MSU-MCEST ranked Top 2, Mae Hazael from MSU-MCEST ranked Top 5, Sittie Jainah Disumimba from MSU-Marawi ranked Top 8, and Yahya Domaub from MSU-Marawi ranked 10th.

In Region 12-SOCCSKARGEN, several graduates from MSU-General Santos City also earned top rankings, including Maria Claire Diño as Top 3; Princess Hafsah Bacal Bantu, Quennie Redoble Maulana, Venus Marie Paglinawan, and Ledelyn Geralde Macion as Top 5; Chevin Glenn Base as Top 7; and Ronalyn Anito Del Corro, Teresa Colipano Daytic, Analyn Malaque Eslao, Lynrd Orilla Jayawon, and Kyla Denise Velos Monteza as Top 8.

For the secondary level, TBTP beneficiaries who obtained top rankings included Aljohn Vergara from PUP Manila in the National Capital Region (NCR), who ranked 2nd.

In Region 8-Eastern Visayas, graduates from the Samar State University, namely Precious San Pedro, Angelyn Jayan, and Sybille Llano, ranked 3rd, 8th, and 10th, respectively.

In Region 12-SOCCSKARGEN, Sitchelle May Alac from MSU-General Santos City ranked Top 9, while Korinne Flores from MSU-General Santos City ranked Top 6 in Bachelor of Physical Education.

“You are all an inspiration to all Filipinos for being a big contributor in nation-building as the secondary teachers to underprivileged children and parents during the TBTP tutoring and parental sessions. I know it’s hard to not have all the necessary resources to make studying easier, but you all prove that it’s your heart and dedication that truly matters,” Undersecretary Punay said.

The TBTP beneficiaries served as tutors and YDWs during the 2024 and 2025 implementation of the program’s 20-day tutorial and parental sessions.

The DSWD reaffirmed its commitment to helping more college students access opportunities such as the CFW program and capability-building activities that can support their needs and assist them in their journey toward becoming future professionals. (KB)