THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development is pushing to institutionalize the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program.

DSWD Undersecretary Edu Punay said the agency considers Tara, Basa! a vital component of its social protection efforts. The program provides financial aid to second- to fourth-year college students from low-income families, while also helping address challenges in reading comprehension among young learners.

“Ang programa pong ito ay may executive order na mula sa Pangulo para mas mapabilis ang implementation. Pero yes, tama kayo, para for the longer term, kailangan natin ng batas. Sa Tara, Basa!, nakahanap na kami ng sponsor para sa bill,” Punay told reporters.

Under the Tara, Basa! program, college students—particularly those taking education and social work courses—receive cash-for-work assistance based on the prevailing regional wage rates in exchange for their service as tutors and youth development workers.

These student-beneficiaries commit to render 20 days of service, teaching elementary school learners to improve their reading and comprehension skills.

“Napakahalaga nito sa sustainability at ’yun ang target namin. Hopefully, maging sing-laki ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program ito eventually in the years to come,” Punay added.