Pasig City, Philippines – As part of their continued effort to support the Literacy Coordinating Council’s (LCC) mandate to boost literacy efforts across the country, the Department of Education (DepEd), under the leadership of Secretary Sonny Angara, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), headed by Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla, officially signed Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, Series of 2024, titled “Creation, Reconstitution, and Strengthening of Local Literacy Councils at the City and Municipal Levels”.
The JMC, which took effect on February 27, 2025, provides key guidelines and procedures in creating, reconstituting, and strengthening Local Literacy Councils (LLCs) at the city and municipal levels. It also enumerates the roles and responsibilities of DILG and DepEd in the establishment of LLCs, and outlines the LLCs’ powers and functions.
The newly signed JMC is the result of a thorough review process conducted by both agencies, including other LCC member agencies namely Philippine Normal University (PNU), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Senate Committee on Basic Education, House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Culture, and E-Net Philippines, as well as relevant stakeholders.
All local government units (LGUs) nationwide are enjoined to establish or strengthen their own LLC in line with the guidelines set forth in the JMC.
The LCC, established under Republic Act (RA) No. 7165, as amended by RA No. 10122, is mandated to serve as an inter-agency coordinating and advisory body that shall synchronize and strengthen efforts and policies towards the universalization of literacy in the country.
As member agencies of the LCC, DepEd and DILG are integral in the LCC’s mission to strengthen support structures for literacy through the establishment of LLCs at local levels. These councils play a critical role in bridging the gap between national policy and local implementation to ensure that literacy initiatives address the specific needs of local communities.
The JMC marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts of LCC to universalize literacy in the country. Through this collaboration, both agencies aim to ensure that the national literacy programs have strong local foundations and that every Filipino has access to quality education and opportunities for lifelong learning.
For more information about the JMC, you may access it through this link: https://rebrand.ly/LCC-JMC-NO-1-S-2024.
To know more about LCC, you may visit its official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LiteracyCoordinatingCouncil and official website at https://lcc.deped.gov.ph/. You may also reach the LCC Secretariat via email at [email protected].
