SENATE President Sherwin Gatchalian is urging local government units (LGUs) to step up efforts to combat illiteracy and strengthen literacy programs nationwide as the country observes National Reading Month this November.

While recognizing the Philippines’ improved reading performance in the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Gatchalian stressed that further reforms are needed to ensure Filipino learners attain at least basic reading proficiency.

He noted that approximately seven out of 10 Filipino learners aged 15 remain below the minimum reading proficiency level, underscoring the need for stronger interventions to address the country’s literacy challenges.

Gatchalian said local governments must play a more active role in complementing existing national initiatives, including the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program.

Under Senate Bill No. 628, or the proposed National Literacy Council Act, Gatchalian seeks to designate Local School Boards as de facto local literacy councils tasked with developing data-driven roadmaps to address illiteracy in their respective communities.

These local roadmaps would be guided by measurable targets and indicators to help monitor progress and ensure that literacy interventions respond to specific learning needs.

Gatchalian emphasized that LGUs are in a strategic position to improve literacy outcomes because they are more familiar with the challenges confronting students and schools in their respective communities.

He said mobilizing local governments would help sustain the country’s gains in reading performance while ensuring that more Filipino learners acquire the essential literacy skills they need to succeed.