THE HOUSE of Representatives has approved a measure that aims to improve the literacy rate of Filipinos.

With 282 votes, the chamber passed on third and final reading House Bill 7414 that will rename the Literacy Coordinating Council to National Literacy Council, strengthens its powers and functions, and expands its membership and support mechanisms.

Under the measure, the council will be the lead inter-agency coordinating and advisory body to concerned national agencies, local government units, and the private sector in the formulation of policies and measures for the universalization of literacy.

The council will be tasked to evaluate the literacy situation, propose ways and means for expanding educational opportunities and adopt modern communications and educational technology and other innovative modes of transmitting knowledge to support literacy programs at the national and local levels.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said the present law has to be strengthened to achieve its purpose of equipping every Filipino with fundamental literacy competency.

“Many of us, especially the poor in rural and remote communities, lack the means to acquire formal education. We have to reach out to these sectors of our population so that at least, they will learn how to read and write,” he said.

“They should be provided with basic communication skills, even in their own native languages, through informal learning programs. No one should be left behind in improving their lives,” he added.