KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Field Office 12 is preparing to fully implement the “Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program” throughout the SOCCSKSARGEN Region beginning May 19, 2025.
Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program is a reformatted version of DSWD’s educational assistance initiative, designed to address reading difficulties among early grade learners.
“We started this last year only in General Santos City. But this year, it will be implemented regionwide,” said Jerry Dumdum, DSWD Information Officer for the Tara Basa! Tutoring Program.
Under the program, college students will act as tutors for Grade 1 and incoming Grade 2 pupils who are either non-readers or experiencing difficulties with reading. In exchange, the student tutors will receive financial assistance that is equivalent to the regional minimum wage for a duration of 20 days.
“Aside from teaching the children to read, we’re also teaching the parents how to properly support their children’s learning at home,” Dumdum added.
Dumdum said this year’s implementation will cover 6,143 learners and parents, 1,229 tutors, and 615 youth development workers across the region.
As the program’s pilot area, General Santos City will still benefit from the program, providing support to learners and tutors in the area.
The program in South Cotabato will extend to municipalities, including Polomolok, Tupi, Koronadal City, Tampakan, and Lake Sebu.
In Sarangani, the program will be implemented in Kiamba, Maasim, Malapatan, and Alabel.
Dumdum also announced the implementation of the program in Sultan Kudarat, which includes Tacurong City, Isulan, Bagumbayan, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Lebak, and Kalamansig.
Cotabato Province will also benefit from the program, particularly in the areas of Makilala, Kidapawan City, Magpet, President Roxas, Arakan, and Kabacan.
Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program, established by Executive Order (EO) No. 76, is a crucial government initiative, signed on November 22, 2023, following the directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The EO mandates a whole-of-government approach to literacy development, directing the DSWD, Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Commission on Higher Education, and the National Youth Commission to work together in ensuring the program’s success. (ORVR, PIA Region 12)
