NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
From Struggles To Smiles: How A Reading Program In Zamboanga Is Giving Kids A Head Start In Life
Photo credit: DepEd
Learning how to read might seem like a small milestone, but for many children in remote areas of the Philippines, it’s life-changing. That’s exactly what the Bawat Bata Makababasa Program (BBMP) is doing—starting with the young readers of Zamboanga Peninsula.
Launched by the Department of Education (DepEd) as part of its response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to improve the quality of education, BBMP focuses on helping Grade 1 to 3 students who still struggle with reading. It’s a 20-day program packed with daily short reading sessions aimed at helping children recognize sounds, understand what they’re reading, and most importantly—build their confidence.
More than Just Reading
“BBMP is proof that with consistent support and community effort, even the most challenged learners can thrive,” said Education Secretary Sonny Angara. And that’s not just a feel-good statement—stories from the ground say it all.
Take Brittany, a Grade 3 student from the Campo Uno Indigenous People Elementary School, home to students from the Western Subanon Tribe. Once too shy to even smile, she now beams with pride as she plays with classmates, saying, “I’m always smiling now because I already know how to read!”
For tribal leader Edgard Pandalan, the program means even more. “This isn’t just about reading—it’s about helping our children understand their identity and giving them equal chances in life,” he said in the local Subanon dialect.
Building Confidence One Word at a Time
In another pilot school, 8-year-old Shammira, who used to be too scared to even speak in class, now confidently reads short English sentences. “I used to be scared because I didn’t know how to read,” she shared. But after weeks of reading sessions and workbook exercises, she proudly says, “I can now read English and short sentences!”
Her tutor, Dulce Canones, said Sham now even reads signs on the way to school—something she couldn’t do just a few weeks ago.
A Grandmother’s Dream
Inday, a 52-year-old school utility worker and guardian to her grandkids, makes sure they never miss a reading session. She may not have finished school herself, but her hopes for her grandchildren are sky-high.
“I didn’t get to study, but I want them to graduate. Now that they’re learning to read, I’m more hopeful for their future,” she said in Bisaya, eyes glinting with pride.
Literacy as a Shared Responsibility
What makes BBMP unique is its strong community involvement. In Region IX alone, nearly 7,000 volunteer tutors—many of whom aren’t licensed teachers—were mobilized to deliver the lessons using DepEd-designed phonics-based workbooks.
“This isn’t just a teachers’ job anymore. When families, teachers, and community leaders work together, children get the support they need,” said Angara.
Just the Beginning
The early success of BBMP is just a glimpse of what’s possible. DepEd sees it as part of a broader recovery plan that includes the Literacy Remediation Program, the Summer Academic Remedial Program, and the 2025 Learning Camp. Together, these initiatives aim to create a comprehensive learning strategy—not just for school, but for life.
DepEd is now gathering feedback and data from the field to explore the possibility of expanding BBMP nationwide.
“The results from Region IX show that when reading becomes a shared community mission, our children truly begin to thrive,” Angara emphasized. “We owe it to every Filipino child—not just to be in school, but to genuinely learn.”
Launched by the Department of Education (DepEd) as part of its response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to improve the quality of education, BBMP focuses on helping Grade 1 to 3 students who still struggle with reading. It’s a 20-day program packed with daily short reading sessions aimed at helping children recognize sounds, understand what they’re reading, and most importantly—build their confidence.
More than Just Reading
“BBMP is proof that with consistent support and community effort, even the most challenged learners can thrive,” said Education Secretary Sonny Angara. And that’s not just a feel-good statement—stories from the ground say it all.
Take Brittany, a Grade 3 student from the Campo Uno Indigenous People Elementary School, home to students from the Western Subanon Tribe. Once too shy to even smile, she now beams with pride as she plays with classmates, saying, “I’m always smiling now because I already know how to read!”
For tribal leader Edgard Pandalan, the program means even more. “This isn’t just about reading—it’s about helping our children understand their identity and giving them equal chances in life,” he said in the local Subanon dialect.
Building Confidence One Word at a Time
In another pilot school, 8-year-old Shammira, who used to be too scared to even speak in class, now confidently reads short English sentences. “I used to be scared because I didn’t know how to read,” she shared. But after weeks of reading sessions and workbook exercises, she proudly says, “I can now read English and short sentences!”
Her tutor, Dulce Canones, said Sham now even reads signs on the way to school—something she couldn’t do just a few weeks ago.
A Grandmother’s Dream
Inday, a 52-year-old school utility worker and guardian to her grandkids, makes sure they never miss a reading session. She may not have finished school herself, but her hopes for her grandchildren are sky-high.
“I didn’t get to study, but I want them to graduate. Now that they’re learning to read, I’m more hopeful for their future,” she said in Bisaya, eyes glinting with pride.
Literacy as a Shared Responsibility
What makes BBMP unique is its strong community involvement. In Region IX alone, nearly 7,000 volunteer tutors—many of whom aren’t licensed teachers—were mobilized to deliver the lessons using DepEd-designed phonics-based workbooks.
“This isn’t just a teachers’ job anymore. When families, teachers, and community leaders work together, children get the support they need,” said Angara.
Just the Beginning
The early success of BBMP is just a glimpse of what’s possible. DepEd sees it as part of a broader recovery plan that includes the Literacy Remediation Program, the Summer Academic Remedial Program, and the 2025 Learning Camp. Together, these initiatives aim to create a comprehensive learning strategy—not just for school, but for life.
DepEd is now gathering feedback and data from the field to explore the possibility of expanding BBMP nationwide.
“The results from Region IX show that when reading becomes a shared community mission, our children truly begin to thrive,” Angara emphasized. “We owe it to every Filipino child—not just to be in school, but to genuinely learn.”
May 28, 2025
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