In a concerted effort to advance literacy and volunteerism in the Philippines, the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) and World Vision, in coordination with Benguet State University, organized the 1st Training of Literacy Facilitators for the Bridaga Pagbasa Initiative. The event took place from March 17 to 19, 2025 at the Dominador S. Garin Hall, College of Teacher Education (CTE).
Institutions nationwide gathered in BSU for Brigada Pagbasa, with BSU serving as the host of this significant event. The university provided a platform for meaningful discussions and the exchange of best practices among participating institutions. The initiative aimed to engage Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in developing literacy programs and promoting volunteerism. The event facilitated knowledge-sharing, partnership-building, and mobilization of support for community-based reading programs, further reinforcing the importance of collective efforts in addressing literacy challenges.
The training opened with a warm welcome and strong support from BSU President Kenneth A. Laruan, setting the tone for meaningful discussions. The first session focused on ‘Volunteer Paradigms and Existing Initiatives in Reading Tutorials by HEIs,’ where institutions nationwide, including the BSU-CTE each shared their literacy programs. BSU-CTE presented the college’s Project CATCH, a reading initiative designed to improve literacy rates through targeted interventions.
On the second day, messages of support were delivered by Commission on Higher Education- Cordillera Administrative Region representative Maria Geraldine Casipit and Department of Education Cordillera Administrative Region representative Edgar Vicente. This was followed by a session led by Geomel P. Jetonzo, Brigada Pagbasa Program Director, who shared practical insights into effective literacy intervention strategies. His discussion covered key topics such as assessing learners’ literacy levels using the Literacy Diagnostic and Proficiency Assessment Tool (DAPAT) and implementing the Catch-Up Program Curriculum and its strategies for remedial reading. The session also highlighted the importance of institutionalizing the Brigada Pagbasa Initiative as a volunteer-driven effort within higher education institutions (HEIs).
The event concluded with an inspirational message and closing talk from PNVSCA Executive Director Donald Gawe. He emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration and communication among HEIs in driving literacy initiatives forward. His speech encouraged delegates to cultivate a culture of volunteerism among students and faculty, urging them to share their time, talent, and treasure not only to literacy but also to broader community service efforts.
“This first training builds a cohort of volunteers committed to promoting literacy and community,” Gawe stated, highlighting the event’s long-term impact.////𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯𝘢 𝘎. 𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘰 (𝘊𝘛𝘌 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳)