To recognize efforts of cities, municipalities and Non-Government Organizations on literacy programs that helped improved the lives of the people in the community and make education facilities accessible to the learners, DepEd Region IX, through the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) will send regional winners to the 2016 National Literacy Awards on Sept. 28-30, 2016.

The contest has two categories, namely: Outstanding Literacy Program and Outstanding Local Government Unit. After a thorough scrutiny and validation of the documents by the Regional Selection Committee, Zamboanga del Norte Federation of Parents’ Association, Inc.  (ZNFePA), Dipolog City emerged as winner for Outstanding Literacy Program Category.

ZNFePA envisioned to address the root causes of poverty particularly of infants, children and youth in the community.

Meanwhile, the Outstanding Local Government Unit Category is divided into highly urbanized city, component independent city, class A municipality (first to third class) and class B municipality (fourth to sixth class). Dipolog City was awarded as regional winner for Outstanding Local Government Unit – City Level.

Dipolog City implements various programs such as the implementation of livelihood skills, development and enhancement center, scholarship program by the Alay Lakad Funds, allocation of funds for the construction of school buildings, and hiring of contractual teachers including MADRASAH teachers.

For Outstanding Local Government Unit – Municipality Level, there are two winning Municipalities. Molave, Zamboanga del Sur won for class A Municipality while the Municipality of Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay for class B. Both municipalities have launched various programs and projects that have positive impact to the constituents of the locality, the learners, and their respective communities.

The regional entries have already been submitted to the LCC Secretariat.