MANILA – Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III called on barangays across the country to take a leading role in addressing illiteracy, saying education remains key to reducing poverty and improving opportunities for Filipinos.

In a video message addressed to the Liga ng mga Barangay, Dy said this year’s theme, “Zero Illiteracy — One Barangay at a Time,” underscores the critical role of local communities in expanding access to education and livelihood opportunities.

“Napakalalim po ng mensaheng dala ng temang ito dahil ang laban kontra illiteracy ay hindi lamang kampanya para sa edukasyon (The theme carries a very deep message because the fight against illiteracy is not only a campaign for education). It is a campaign to provide opportunities, livelihood, and dignity. It is a fight for the future of our nation,” Dy said.

He warned that illiteracy continues to limit opportunities for many Filipinos and hinders full participation in economic development.

Dy stressed that literacy enables individuals to improve their quality of life and take part in national growth.

“Kaya mahalagang maintindihan natin: literacy is empowerment. Ito ang susi upang mabigyan ng kakayahan ang mamamayan na mas mapabuti ang kanilang buhay (That’s why it is important that we understand that literacy is empowerment. It is the key to empowering the people to improve their lives),” he added.

He said barangays play a crucial frontline role in identifying individuals who need educational support, particularly children and families requiring assistance to access learning opportunities.

“Kayo ang unang nakakakita kung sinong bata ang hindi nakakapasok sa paaralan, kung sinong kabataan ang kailangang gabayan, at kung aling pamilya ang nangangailangan ng tulong upang mabigyan ng pagkakataong matuto at umasenso (You are the first to see the children who are not going to school, the youth who needs guidance, and the families who need support and to be given the opportunity to learn and progress),” he said.

Dy said efforts to address illiteracy must begin at the community level, complementing national government programs.

He added that improving literacy would strengthen the workforce and create more economic opportunities for communities.

“Mas nagiging handa ang mamamayan sa makabagong ekonomiya. Mas lumalakas ang ating workforce. Mas nagiging produktibo ang ating mga komunidad. Sa madaling salita, ang pag-address sa illiteracy ay hindi lamang social responsibility — economic investment din ito para sa kinabukasan ng ating bansa (The people would be better prepared for the modern economy. Our workforce becomes stronger and our communities becomes more productive. In short, addressing illiteracy is not only a social responsibility — it is also an economic investment for the country’s future),” he said.

Dy linked the initiative to the administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” vision, saying it aims to ensure that no Filipino is left behind in accessing education and development opportunities.

“Ito ang diwa ng Bagong Pilipinas: isang bansang walang naiiwan, kung saan bawat Pilipino ay may pagkakataong matuto, umasenso, at makilahok sa pag-unlad ng bayan (This is the essence of the New Philippines: a nation where no one is left behind, where every Filipino has an opportunity to learn, progress and participate in nation-building),” he said.

He also expressed support for measures strengthening barangay workers, including the proposed Magna Carta for Barangays, which seeks to provide additional benefits, training, and protection for barangay officials and personnel.

“Kaya patuloy nating isinusulong ang mga hakbang tulad ng Magna Carta for Barangays upang mabigyan kayo ng sapat na suporta, benepisyo, training, at proteksyon na naaayon sa laki ng inyong tungkulin (That’s why we continue to push for measures like the Magna Carta for Barangays to provide you with ample support, benefits, training, and protection appropriate to your big responsibilities),” Dy said.