The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 7 – Central Visayas (DSWD-7) Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with new and existing partners for the 2025 Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program on April 14, 2025, in Cebu City.

Now in its second year, Tara, Basa! The tutoring Program continues to provide meaningful opportunities to college students from low-income families enrolled in State and Local Universities and Colleges (SLUCs). Through a cash-for-work scheme, these students serve as Tutors and Youth Development Workers (YDW), helping struggling or non-reader Grade 2 learners improve their reading skills while conducting sessions with parents and guardians to promote literacy development at home.

For the 2025 cycle, DSWD-7 has expanded the program to include 10 additional Local Government Units (LGUs) in the province of Cebu and four (4) new partner State Universities and Local Colleges (SULCs). This expansion increases the number of participating LGUs and academic institutions, enhancing the program’s ability to engage with more youths and support more communities throughout the region.

Below is the list of the 2025 implementing LGUs and their corresponding SLUCs.

These partnerships were made possible with the support of the respective Schools Division Offices of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Signing the agreement are the following:

• State/Local Colleges or Universities
  • Cebu Normal University President – Daniel A. Ariaso Sr.
  • Cebu Technological University – President Joseph C. Pepito
  • Lapu-lapu City College President – Dr. Maria Noeleen M. Borbajo
  • Talisay City College President – Dr. Richel N. Bacaltos

• Local Government Units

1. Municipality of Argao, Cebu Mayor – Hon. Allan M. Sesaldo
2. Municipality of Balamban, Cebu Mayor – Hon. Alex Francis BinghayII
3. Municipality of Barili, Cebu Mayor – Hon. Pablo John D. Garcia IV
4. City of Cebu – Hon. Mayor Raymond Alvin N. Garcia
5. Lapu-Lapu City Mayor – Hon. Junard Q. Chan
6. Municipality of Malabuyoc, Cebu Mayor – Erlinda Q. Piedad
7. Municipality of Medellin, Cebu Mayor – Hon. Joven J. Mondigo Jr.
8. City of Talisay, Cebu – Hon. Gerald Anthony V. Gullas Jr.
9. Toledo City, Cebu Mayor – Hon. Marjorie P. Perales

The cities of Mandaue, with their SLUC – Mandaue City College and Danao, have also expressed full support for the program.

In 2025, the program aims to reach 14,130 beneficiaries, consisting of 1,229 Tutors, 615 Youth Development Workers, 6,143 Grade 2 learners, and 6,143 parents or guardians. This expansion highlights the Department’s commitment to scaling up its efforts to promote youth participation, enhance basic education, and foster community involvement.

Following the MOA signing, DSWD 7 conducted capability-building sessions for the Tutors and YDWs from April 21 to 30, 2025. These sessions happened simultaneously in Metro Cebu, the Municipality of San Remigio (Northern Cluster), and Argao and Moalboal municipalities (Southern Cluster). The Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program implementation will run from May 19 to June 13, 2025.

The MOA signing signifies the strengthening of collaborative efforts among DSWD, partner LGUs, academic institutions, and DepEd to ensure the smooth and effective implementation of the program. It reflects a unified commitment to building a more literate, inclusive, and empowered society. ###

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