Senator cites Iloilo education program as reform model

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV has cited the Iloilo provincial government’s Proof of Concept (POC) education program as a model for national education reform, pointing to its success in improving basic education outcomes through strong local government participation.

Aquino made the statement during his privilege speech on the presentation of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) final report at the Senate on Jan. 27.

The report, titled “Turning Point: A Decade of Necessary Reform,” was submitted alongside the proposed 10-Year National Education and Workforce Development Plan for 2026 to 2035.

Recalling a previous visit to the province, Aquino said Iloilo demonstrated how low literacy and proficiency levels can be significantly improved through targeted interventions and effective partnerships.

“I saw that Iloilo has a proof of concept for basic education services. When the program started, only three out of 10 pupils were proficient, but through partnerships [with relevant agencies]…, the literacy rates increased from three to nine out of 10,” he said.

He stressed that the experience showed even very low proficiency levels could be addressed through the proper use of funds and close coordination among local government units (LGUs) and communities, adding that similar programs could be replicated nationwide.

On Jan. 25, during the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City, Aquino met with Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Vice Gov. Nathalie Ann Debuque, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, Iloilo Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Ruby Therese Palmaira Almencion, and Provincial Education Management Office head Maria Alfeda Fajardo to discuss education reforms and strengthen partnerships for Iloilo’s education programs.

During the visit, the senator also received a resolution of support from the League of Municipalities of Iloilo endorsing Senate Bill No. 121, or the proposed Classroom Building Acceleration Act.

The POC is a devolution program that gives LGUs in 11 Iloilo pilot towns (Cabatuan, Guimbal, Igbaras, Maasin, Batad, Lemery, Mina, Leganes, Pavia, Barotac Viejo, and Sara), as well as Iloilo City, a greater role in implementing basic education initiatives.

While education remains under the mandate of the Department of Education, the provincial government said the program allows LGUs to take on core responsibilities to improve education quality.

The initiative was launched in 2024 by the Iloilo provincial government’s Education Core Group, led by Banias and Fajardo, in partnership with Synergeia Foundation Inc. and participating LGUs.

To support reading proficiency improvement among Grade 3 learners, LGUs augmented funds initially raised by then-senator and now Education Secretary Sonny Angara in partnership with the Coca-Cola Foundation.

The funding enabled the procurement of textbooks and learning materials and supported capacity-building programs for school principals and teachers.