Third District Representative Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, Commissioner of the Second Congressional Commission for Education (EDCOM 2), led the culmination of the Negros Occidental Early Literacy Program dubbed “Weaving the Strands of Literacy Skills into Successful Readers” in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, on May 17, having empowered over 600 Child Development Workers and public school teachers, and turning over 750 books to daycare centers across the Third District.
The main goal of the program is to address the learning crisis right from the start, according to a statement issued by his office.
Studies reveal the critical importance of early childhood education in fostering cognitive development in children, underscoring the urgency of interventions in promoting early literacy and learning.
The first leg of the program, conducted from April to May 2024, trained over 370 public school teachers across 200 schools in the Third District and Bacolod City. The second leg trained 250 Child Development Workers across various Day Care Centers, running from April 13 to 17.
More than 750 books, bookshelves, and play mats were donated to these selected centers in Victorias, E.B. Magalona, Siulay, Talisay and Murcia. Dr. Clarissa E. Rosas and Julie Kahn, English language specialists from the United States, are the trainers in the program who have been actively involved for nearly two months.
They visited schools and daycare centers, especially in remote areas within the Third District.
In his closing remarks, Rep. Benitez pointed out that literacy is always key to opening doors of opportunities for everyone.
The training program is a collaborative effort between the Office of Cong. Kiko Benitez, United States Embassy – Regional Language Office (RELO), the Department of Education, Synergeia Foundation INC., Metro 3rd local governments units and Bacolod City, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Joining the culminating program were Conchita Chico of the US Embassy in Manila; Reading Specialists Dr. Clarissa Rosas, Julie Kahn and Richard Kahn; former Governor Rafael Coscolluela and Jay Jalandoni of Synergeia; Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas; Victorias City Councilor Derek Palanca; Silay City Councilor Ryan Gamboa; and Talisay Assistant City Administrator Ismael Penado.*
