Hall of Fame Davao City wins third Nat’l Literacy Award

One of the popular landmarks of Davao City and the Catholic Church
stand with quality and pride.
Photo by Alberto Egot Jr

Davao City bagged its third National Literacy Award under the highly urbanized city category last Wednesday in Baguio City.

Bestowed annually by the National Literacy Coordinating Council (NLCC) and the Department of Education (DepEd), the award placed Davao City in the Hall of Fame. The city won the same award in 2008 and 2010.

Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte expressed gratitude to barangays, national government agencies and the private sector “who contributed to make the recognition possible.”

“It is our hope that other Mindanao LGUs (Local Government Units) will learn from the Davao experience,” she said in a text message.

Placing second in the highly urbanized city category is Pasay City followed by Butuan City, Tacloban City, Baguio City and General Santos City in that order. In the component city category, the winner is Balang City, Bataan, followed by Tabaco City, Tuguegarao City, Alaminos City and Malaybalay City.
The town of Plaridel, Bulacan won the municipality category.

Davao City Administrator Zuleika T. Lopez, who accepted the award on behalf of the city mayor, attributed the city’s winning to the literacy programs and projects embedded in the BAROG (Barangay empowerment, Academe, Resources, Peace and Order and Governance) development thrust of the local government.
“Davao City literacy programs go beyond the four walls of classroom,” she said.

An executive summary of the award documents submitted to NLCC and DepEd indicated that the city has long pursued programs and projects designed to address challenges surrounding the illiteracy problem.
As of the 2010 census, 98.5 percent of Davao City’s population aged 10 years and over are considered literate. The population of 10 years old and above is 1.05 million or 73.06 percent of the city’s total population of 1,449,296. 

“The figures best indicate the modest gains from the collaborative efforts of various sectors in pursuing our collective commitment towards the realization of the literacy programs of the City Government of Davao,” it said. 

The document said the high literacy percentage shows the impact of the sustained efforts and hard work resulting from the dedicated partnership of the city government and other stakeholders. 

“Formal and non-formal education, alternative learning system and other undertakings designed to eliminate illiteracy have been pursued by the previous local government administration which are now being replicated, sustained and further enhanced by the incumbent leadership,” it said.

“The recognition gained from the past serves as a benchmark and an inspiration in formulating appropriate programs and projects responsive to and in accordance with the present needs of the citizens. The local government keeps the best practices and pursues innovative endeavors anchored on the BAROG (meaning “Strong Stance”) framework designed to sustain and enhance the improved quality of life of every Dabawenyo,” the document added.

By Greg G. Deligero
EDGEDAVAO