SENATOR Manuel ‘Lito’ Lapid has filed a measure renaming the Literacy Coordinating Council to the National Literacy Council and strengthening its powers and functions.

Lapid’s Senate Bill 2510 or the proposed National Literacy Council Act also seeks to expand its membership structure and support mechanisms.

The senator explained that the literacy landscape in the Philippines has undergone significant advancements over the years, resulting in commendable achievements in achieving a high literacy rate.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, of the country’s total 97.6 million household population, 97 percent, or 94.63 million individuals, were found to be literate, which is a 1.2 percentage point increase to the 95.8 percent literacy rate in 2015.

However, Lapid said, recent findings from the World Bank report have brought to light a concerning issue that demands immediate attention.

“Despite the impressive overall literacy rate, it has been observed that nine out of ten students in the country struggle to read simple texts effectively,” Lapid said in his explanatory note.

In the June 2022 Philippines Learning Poverty Brief, the World Bank found that 91% of children in the Philippines at a late primary age today are not proficient in reading.

This revelation underscores the need for a comprehensive and strategic approach to address the challenges that persist within the educational system.

Thus, the bill aims to foster a more focused, dynamic, and responsive national body dedicated to promoting literacy and ensuring that every Filipino, irrespective of age or background, possesses the essential reading and comprehension skills vital for personal development and national progress.

“High literacy rates are crucial for the holistic development of individuals and the nation as a whole. Literacy is not merely the ability to read and write; it is the foundation upon which critical thinking, problem-solving, and continuous learning are built. The ability to comprehend and analyze information is paramount in today’s rapidly evolving global landscape,” the senator added.