BAGUIO CITY – The City Council, during last Monday’s regular session, approved on first reading a proposed ordinance institutionalizing the City Local Literacy Coordinating Council and Implementing Unit, defining its functions and appropriating funds for the said purpose.
Under the proposed ordinance, it shall be the policy of the local government to give the highest priority to the adoption of measures for universalization of literacy in the city.
Further, the city shall encourage and rationalize the formulation of policies and the implementation of programs on non-formal, informal and indigenous learning systems, as well as self-learning, independent and out-of-school study programs that particularly respond to community or barangays.
The ordinance added that it shall continue full coordination and synchronization of all literacy programs, projects and activities that will help alleviate poverty, provide livelihood, address welfare needs, promote freedom and make education facilities accessible in all city barangays.
The council shall be chaired by the City Mayor with the Schools Division Superintendent as co-chair. The council members shall include the Chairperson of the Council Committee on Ways and Means and Finance, Chairperson of the City Council Committee on Education, Culture and Historical Research, Chairperson of the City Council Committee on Health and Sanitation, Ecology and Environmental Protection, Chairperson of the City Council Committee on Human Rights, Justice, Public Protection and Safety, Chairperson of the City Council Committee on Livelihood and Cooperatives and Persons with Disabilities, City Administrator, City Planning and Development Officer, City Social Welfare and Development Officer, City Health Officer, Director of the DILG Baguio field office, DepEd Alternative Learning System Education Program Coordinator, Liga ng mga Barangay president and civil society organization representatives to be accredited by the council.
The ordinance mandated the allocation of ₱1 million annually from the budget of the City Mayor’s office to fund activities and programs of the said body.
The ordinance stated that the local government emphasizes the importance of literacy and education, given the government’s vision of a globally competitive and newly industrialized country that would be better achieved with the improvement of human resources through literacy and education.
The State gives the highest priority to the adoption of measures for the universalization of literacy.
Earlier concerned government agencies issued appropriate directives that provided supplemental provisions and guidelines on the strengthening of local literacy coordinating councils and literacy implementing units. By Dexter A. See
