Efforts to improve literacy in the Philippines are closely linked with initiatives addressing food security and child nutrition, which play a crucial role in learning outcomes.
The Department of Education (DepEd) reported that food support during its 2025 summer programs helped sustain an 81 percent attendance rate among over 70,000 beneficiaries.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that feeding interventions boosted learner focus and participation, particularly in the Bawat Bata Makababasa Program and National Learning Camp (NLC).
Post-program assessments showed significant improvements in reading proficiency, with Grade 3 learners reading at grade level increasing by over 30 percent in Filipino and 26 percent in English.
Additionally, over 1.13 million learners benefited from the NLC’s 15-day reading and math interventions, which included the provision of hot meals and nutritious snacks to support consistent attendance and cognitive readiness.
Source: PhilNews24 | July 3, 2025
