THE SECOND Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), in partnership with Caritas Philippines and Linya-Linya, has launched the BOOKsan ang Kinabukasan project in Zamboanga City to help address early childhood literacy gaps by bringing children’s books to underserved communities.

The initiative kicked off with the distribution of the first batch of BOOKsan Kits to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Pansulan, Barangay Bolong, marking the start of a community-based literacy campaign aimed at improving children’s reading skills while supporting early childhood development.

The project seeks to establish community-managed children’s book collections in daycare centers, parishes, schools, and barangay halls, particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities. It has also been integrated into Caritas Philippines’ newly launched PIEmealya (Pregnancy, Infancy, and Early Childhood Program), which combines early learning with health and nutrition interventions.

According to EDCOM 2, Zamboanga City recorded the country’s highest number of struggling readers in Grades 1 to 3 based on the Department of Education’s End-of-School-Year Assessment in literacy.

More than 11,000 learners continued to require additional reading support despite participating in the Department of Education’s year-long Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program, highlighting the need for sustained community-based interventions.

Data from EDCOM 2’s Early Childhood Dashboard also showed that Barangay Bolong, the first recipient of the BOOKsan project, faces significant literacy challenges. Of the 615 children assessed, 30.1 percent were identified as struggling readers—about three times higher than the national average of 10 percent.

EDCOM 2 Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee said improving learning outcomes requires more than classroom instruction, stressing the importance of integrating health, nutrition, and early learning support at the community level.

“Through our partnership with Caritas Philippines and the distribution of BOOKsan Kits, we aim to ensure that children have both the nutritional support and the learning resources they need to build a strong foundation,” Yee said.

For his part, Caritas Philippines Executive Director Rev. Fr. Carmelo “Tito” Caluag said the program adopts a holistic approach by combining literacy promotion with primary healthcare monitoring, family development services, and pastoral care to improve the long-term well-being of children and their families.

The launch was attended by local Church leaders and community partners, including Archbishop Julius Tonel of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga, Rev. Fr. Lorenzo Albiar Jr., Rev. Fr. Boy Justol, Sr. Marichu Montalban of the Sisters of the Religious of the Assumption, Angie Evidente of the Assisi Development Foundation, and Barangay Bolong Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative Yahsin Julaili.

Following its initial rollout in Zamboanga City, EDCOM 2 and its network of Church, local government, and civil society partners plan to distribute BOOKsan Kits to 340 more chapels and communities across Zamboanga in the coming months. Future deployments are also scheduled for Jaro, Iloilo, and Cotabato City.

The partners are also encouraging individuals and organizations to support the initiative through book or financial donations to help expand access to children’s reading materials and strengthen early childhood literacy nationwide.