Literacy in the Philippines

Pre-colonial period (900 AD to 1565)

In pre-colonial Philippines, the communities pass their stories, songs, poetry, dances, medicinal practices and advice regarding all sorts of community life issues passed from generation to generation, primarily through oral tradition.^[8] However, communities already developed writing systems and used Philippine scripts such as baybayin and other syllabaries. The Laguna Copperplate Inscription is the earliest-known, extant, calendar-dated document found within the Philippines^[9]

Early chroniclers, who came during the first Spanish expeditions to the islands noted the proficiency of some of the natives, especially the chieftain and local kings, in Sanskrit, Old Javanese, Old Malay, and several other languages.^[10][11]

Colonial period

During the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, the first book printed in the Philippines was printed in 1590. It was a Chinese language version of Doctrina Christiana. Spanish and Tagalog versions, in both Latin script and the locally used baybayin script, were later printed in 1593.^[12][13]

Contemporary period

On November 25, 1991, the Literacy Coordinating Council was created through the enactment of Republic Act No. 7165.

On June 17, 1994, Republic Act No. 7743 was approved which provides for the establishment of congressional, city and municipal libraries and barangay reading centers.^[14]

In 1997, the Literacy Coordinating Council created the Blueprint for Action with the goal of eradicating illiteracy in the Philippines. On April 15, the President Fidel V. Ramos issued Administrative Order No. 324 which mandates Government Agencies and Local Government Units to adopt the LCC Blueprint for Action.^[15]

On May 27, 2010, Republic Act No. 10122 was approved thereby amending Republic Act No. 7165.

In 2011, the Department of Science and Technology launched the Science & Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly-Operated Kiosk System (STARBOOKS) in Davao City.^[16]

In 2019, the Supreme Court e-library, which contains court decisions since 1901 and was created in 2004, was opened for public access.^[17] In March 2022, the National Literacy Framework was developed by the Department of Education (DepEd), Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC), and Philippine Normal University (PNU).

In April 26, 2023, the DILG issued Memorandum Circular 2023-067 reiterating DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2007-155, "Creation/Strengthening of Local Literacy Coordinating Council/Literacy Implementing Units.^[18]

In 2024, the DILG and DepEd issued Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, s. 2024 titled, “Creation, Reconstitution, and Strengthening of Local Literacy Councils at the City and Municipal Levels”^[19]

On August 16, 2024, the Philippine Statistics Authority Board approved PSA Board Resolution No. 13 titled "Approving the Revised Operational Definition and Methodology in Estimating Basic and Functional Literacy in the Philippines". The new definition is used in the 2024 FLEMMS.^[20]

In January 2026, EDCOM II submitted the National Education and Workforce Development Plan (NatPlan) 2026–2035 to the Senate of the Philippines.^[21]

National Literacy Awards

The National Literacy Awards is under the Literacy Coordinating Council which recognizes literacy programs in the Philippines^[26]

National Literacy Framework

The National Literacy Framework is a Technical Research Report by the Department of Education, Literacy Coordinating Council, and the Philippine Normal University released in March 2022.

The study has identified 19 Literacy Skills.^[27]

Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program

The Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program Act was established through the enactment of Republic Act 12028.^{[28][29][30][31]}

The DepEd, DBM, DILG, and DOF issued Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, s. 2025 which allows the use of the Special Education Fund (SEF) for the ARAL Program^[32][33]

National Service Training Program

The National Service Training Program (NSTP) was established through Republic Act No. 9163, or the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001.^[34][35]

Literacy Training Service (LTS) is one of the three components of NSTP. It is designed to train LTS students for literacy and numeracy programs. CHED encourages inclusion of Literacy Programs through NSTP in extension programs of HEIs.^[36][37]

Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program

Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program is a social protection program implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). In the implementation of the program, qualified college students are trained as Tutors for struggling learners in public schools or Youth Development Worker for sessions with parents or guardians.^[38]

As of 2026, a "Tara Basa" bill was filed in the Philippine House of Representative to institutionalize the program.^[39] According to DSWD, a law will guarantee the program's long-term sustainability and expansion.^[40]

LGU Programs

In June 2025, there are on record 441 cities and municipalities that has Ordinances and Executive Orders on Literacy, and 202 has Local Literacy Councils according to the DILG.^[41]

NGO Programs