The Iloilo Provincial Government through its Education Core Group (EDCORE), in partnership with the Synergeia Foundation, Inc., gathered municipal leaders and local education focals today for a Levelling Session and Workshop on the Devolution of Basic Education Services.

The event which is part of the EDCOM2 Proof of Concept initiative discussed the pre-assessment results for reading competencies of Grade 3 learners in pilot local government units (LGUs) and explore strategies to address learning gaps.

Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. reaffirmed the province’s commitment to improving literacy, emphasizing that reading proficiency is a key pillar in Iloilo’s education reforms.

“In the near future, I would like to discuss with EDCOM and the Synergeia family the other facets of this (POC) program. We are starting to develop the options and the directions that we can take once we start addressing the problem of reading,” Defensor said.

Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul Banias also stressed the importance of evidence-based interventions.
 
“We are almost one month before closing (of school year) but the PIDS (Philippine Institute for Development Studies) came up with their analysis to be presented today for us to assess where we are now, what worked and did not work, the adjustments we can do, and achieve our objective and target which is to make all grade three learners be able to read.”

The discussions, facilitated by Synergeia Foundation CEO Milwilda “Nene” Guevara, focused on pre-assessment results, best practices, challenges faced, and the next steps for LGUs.

Municipal mayors actively shared insights, reflecting their crucial role in localized education governance.

The workshop gathered LGU and school representatives from Barotac Viejo, Batad, Cabatuan, Guimbal, Igbaras, Maasin, Mina, Leganes, Lemery, Pavia, and Sara.

Several municipal mayors, including Dr. Elizalde G. Pueyo (Cabatuan), Atty. Vicente E. Escorpion, Jr. (Igbaras), Lydia E. Grabato (Mina), and Jon N. Aying (Sara), joined the discussions alongside 3rd District Board Member Jason Gonzales.

With education at the heart of Iloilo’s MoRProGRes (Movement for a Robust, Progressive, Globally-competitive, and Resilient) Iloilo agenda, the provincial government remains steadfast in championing LGU-led education reforms to ensure that no child is left behind in the pursuit of literacy and lifelong learning.

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