Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Thursday rallied barangays nationwide to take the lead in the fight against illiteracy, stressing that education and literacy are powerful tools in lifting Filipinos out of poverty and building a stronger future for the country.

In a video message addressed to the Liga ng mga Barangay, Dy said this year’s theme, “Zero Illiteracy — One Barangay at a Time,” highlights the crucial role of barangays in ensuring that every Filipino gains access to learning, economic opportunities and a better life.

“Napakalalim po ng mensaheng dala ng temang ito dahil ang laban kontra illiteracy ay hindi lamang kampanya para sa edukasyon (The theme carries a very deep message because the fight against illiteracy is not only a campaign for education). It is a campaign to provide opportunities, livelihood, and dignity. It is a fight for the future of our nation,” Dy said.

He warned that illiteracy continues to deprive many Filipinos of opportunities and prevents communities from fully participating in economic growth and development.

The Speaker from Isabela emphasized that literacy empowers people to improve their lives and participate more fully in society and the economy.

“Kaya mahalagang maintindihan natin: literacy is empowerment. Ito ang susi upang mabigyan ng kakayahan ang mamamayan na mas mapabuti ang kanilang buhay (That’s why it is important that we understand that literacy is empowerment. It is the key to empowering the people to improve their lives),” he added.

Dy stressed that barangays play the most important frontline role in addressing illiteracy because they are closest to the people.

“Kayo ang unang nakakakita kung sinong bata ang hindi nakakapasok sa paaralan, kung sinong kabataan ang kailangang gabayan, at kung aling pamilya ang nangangailangan ng tulong upang mabigyan ng pagkakataong matuto at umasenso (You are the first to see the children who are not going to school, the youth who needs guidance, and the families who need support and to be given the opportunity to learn and progress),” he said.

He said the campaign against illiteracy begins in communities and barangays, not only through national government programs.

Dy also emphasized that improving literacy would create more job, business, and livelihood opportunities while strengthening the country’s workforce.

“Mas nagiging handa ang mamamayan sa makabagong ekonomiya. Mas lumalakas ang ating workforce. Mas nagiging produktibo ang ating mga komunidad. Sa madaling salita, ang pag-address sa illiteracy ay hindi lamang social responsibility — economic investment din ito para sa kinabukasan ng ating bansa (The people would be better prepared for the modern economy. Our workforce becomes stronger and our communities becomes more productive. In short, addressing illiteracy is not only a social responsibility — it is also an economic investment for the country’s future),” Dy said.

Dy said the anti-illiteracy campaign reflects President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of Bagong Pilipinas, where every Filipino is given the chance to learn, improve their lives and contribute to national development.

“Ito ang diwa ng Bagong Pilipinas: isang bansang walang naiiwan, kung saan bawat Pilipino ay may pagkakataong matuto, umasenso, at makilahok sa pag-unlad ng bayan (This is the essence of the New Philippines: a nation where no one is left behind, where every Filipino has an opportunity to learn, progress and participate in nation-building),” he said.

Dy, who began his career in public service as Kabataang Barangay chairperson in Cauayan, Isabela, likewise renewed his support for stronger protection and benefits for barangay workers through measures such as the proposed Magna Carta for Barangays.

“Kaya patuloy nating isinusulong ang mga hakbang tulad ng Magna Carta for Barangays upang mabigyan kayo ng sapat na suporta, benepisyo, training, at proteksyon na naaayon sa laki ng inyong tungkulin (That’s why we continue to push for measures like the Magna Carta for Barangays to provide you with ample support, benefits, training, and protection appropriate to your big responsibilities),” he said.

“Dahil kung mas empowered ang ating mga barangay, mas magiging epektibo rin ang ating laban kontra kahirapan, kawalan ng oportunidad, at illiteracy (If barangays are more empowered, the fight against poverty, lack of opportunity and illiteracy becomes more effective).” (PNA)