DILG: ARAL Program revolutionizes education at the barangays
In support of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s agenda on education, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), together with the Department of Education (DepEd), attained critical gains in institutionalizing literacy at the policy level with the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program.
Mandated under Republic Act No. 12028, the ARAL Program aims to provide free tutorials to learners from Kindergarten to Grade 10 who need assistance in reading, mathematics, and science, whether through face-to-face, online, or blended modalities.
Through a joint memorandum, the DILG and DepEd called for a synchronized effort to implement the ARAL Program, mobilizing local government units (LGUs) to counter illiteracy through the issuance of ordinances and executive orders supporting education and literacy.
This resulted in 441 cities and municipalities across the country issuing ordinances or executive orders, with 202 of these LGUs having established their Local Literacy Councils within their jurisdictions.
The DILG said these policies are currently transforming local efforts into impactful programs. “Through ARAL, the learning recovery of Filipino children is no longer the burden of schools alone but a shared responsibility of the entire government and community,” the Department said.
In Sorsogon City, mobile libraries travel to remote communities to reach children who are unable to attend regular classes, while in Bacnotan, La Union, the LGU funds learning caravans that provide tutorial support to out-of-school youth.
Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, on the other hand, embedded literacy in youth peacebuilding initiatives, creating spaces where safety and learning go hand in hand.
Barangays and LGUs, the DILG said, are key implementation partners. They provide venues, assist in mobilizing tutors and volunteers, and ensure that the services reach learners who need them most.
The DILG likewise shared that many of these initiatives are funded through the Special Education Fund or General Fund, proving that LGUs are making deliberate investments in education as a foundation for local development.