Read UP boosts Janiuay kids’ literacy

Consistent with its mission to enhance youth literacy, the University of the Philippines Visayas Language Program implemented “Read UP: A Literacy Outreach Program” in Janiuay, Iloilo province, on March 5–6 and April 16–17, 2026.

Read UP is a public service initiative that strengthens early childhood literacy by equipping Early Childhood Care and Development workers with effective reading instruction strategies.

Since its launch in 2018, the program has partnered with several local government units, including Lambunao, Maasin, Passi City, and Badiangan.

The 2026 rollout in Janiuay trained 53 daycare workers through intensive learning sessions.

Annaliza Barcelona, a lecturer from the Division of Humanities, Division of Professional Education, and the UP Open University, facilitated the program using interactive lectures and hands-on workshops.

The sessions focused on the “read aloud” strategy, which is designed to help preschool learners develop an early and lasting interest in reading.

During the workshops, participants used children’s books from their own daycare centers to practice different read-aloud techniques and improve their pronunciation of English vowel and consonant sounds.

The initiative drew support from local officials, including Mayor Paulino Parian, Vice Mayor Felizardo Amigable Jr., Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office head Elizabeth G. Sevilla, Early Childhood Care and Development focal person Menzie Brizal, and Raffy Parpa.

The officials welcomed the UPV delegation and expressed interest in expanding their collaboration with the university to other areas of local development.

By empowering frontline educators and extending academic resources to communities, UPV reaffirmed its mandate as a public service university.

Through Read UP, the university continues to help build a stronger foundation for literacy, community empowerment, and lifelong learning. (Written by Assistant Professor Rene Trance of the Language Program, with sources from Associate Professor Marie Frances Nievales of the Division of Biological Sciences and Marian Janice Mamon-Mediana of the UP Language Program)