Liga Launched National Congress Cluster 1, Rolled Out "Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program" and Advanced Zero Illiteracy Drive

The Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas successfully convened Cluster 1 of its 2026 National Congress from March 24 to 26, bringing together barangay leaders from Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Butuan City, Cagayan de Oro City, Calapan City, Camarines Norte, Camiguin, Cotabato City, Iligan City, Isabela, La Union, Maguindanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Oriental Mindoro, Naga City, Ormoc City, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.

A total of 4,500 delegates participated in the three-day gathering, spearheaded by Liga National President Jessica Dy, alongside the National Executive Board and local Liga Chapter leaders.

As the country’s annual assembly of barangay officials, the Congress served as a platform for learning, collaboration, and solution-building, strengthening the leadership capacity of barangay officials as frontline leaders in governance.

Anchored on the theme “Road to Zero Illiteracy: One Barangay at a Time,” the Congress addressed the growing challenge of functional illiteracy in the Philippines. Data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education showed that an estimated 24.8 million Filipinos are functionally illiterate, underscoring the urgency of coordinated national and grassroots action.

Recognizing barangays as the frontline of governance, the Congress emphasized their role in identifying learners, mobilizing communities, and implementing localized literacy interventions. It also reinforced the expansion of the Zero Illiteracy Program, a community-based initiative developed in partnership with Gawad Kalinga, which began as a pilot in Echague, Isabela and has since been rolled out in several provinces nationwide.

Dy highlighted the success of the pilot program, noting that community-driven interventions delivered immediate results. “Within 18 days, natuto pong magbasa yung mga bata,” she said, citing the role of Barangay Literacy Volunteers who assisted teachers through tutorial support and community mobilization. She emphasized that barangays are uniquely positioned to address national challenges at the ground level, adding, “Tayo ang pinakamalapit sa tao… which is why we are at that vantage point na mas kaya po nating i-address ang mga problema ng ating bansa.”

The Congress brought together key national institutions and partners to provide a comprehensive and action-oriented approach to literacy and grassroots mobilization. 

Discussions on the current state of illiteracy were led by Karol Mark Yee of Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), while the role of barangays in advancing literacy at the grassroots level was discussed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government. Usec. Carmela Oracion of the Department of Education presented existing government programs addressing illiteracy, while Mark Lawrence Cruz of Gawad Kalinga shared practical guidance on community-based interventions and the replication of the Zero Illiteracy Program at the barangay level.

Meanwhile, Chairman George Garcia of Commission on Elections discussed election guidelines for the upcoming 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, while Atty. Jochebed Dela Cruz presented the Parent Effectiveness Service Program. Former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno also delivered a session on Katarungan sa Pamilyang Pilipino, highlighting the role of barangays in strengthening family and community justice systems.

The Congress was also attended by distinguished national and local leaders, including House Speaker Faustino Dy III, League of Municipalities of the Philippines President Faustino Dy V, Former DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., League of Cities of the Philippines President Francis Zamora, and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

A major highlight of the Congress was the launch and rollout of the “Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program,” a flagship initiative of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. aimed at strengthening grassroots governance by delivering direct support to barangays nationwide.

Under the program, all 42,011 barangays across the country will receive ₱200,000 in financial assistance. Half of the amount was allocated for educational support for indigent and top graduating students, including children of overseas Filipino workers and transport drivers, while the remaining funds were designated for community-based projects and essential infrastructure such as solar street lights, generators, patrol vehicles, CCTV systems, and other service-enhancing initiatives.

The initial rollout covered Batch 1 areas under Cluster 1, with subsequent batches being prepared to ensure nationwide implementation.

As part of its commitment to recognizing excellence in grassroots leadership, the Liga also honored 4,223 last-termer barangay officials and outstanding barangays nationwide, acknowledging their years of dedicated service and contributions to effective local governance.

The Congress set the direction for a more empowered barangay sector where national programs translate into real, measurable impact on the ground.#

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