The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday vowed to intensify its efforts to advance foundational and high-level literacy among learners in the country.

This came as the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) showed a 93.1 percent “strong basic literacy rate” among Filipinos aged 10 to 64, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Strong basic literacy refers to individuals’ ability to read, write, and compute.

Meanwhile, the survey showed that seven out of 10 or at least 70.8 percent of Filipinos, have functional literacy or the “high-level comprehension skills to process and apply information” and “critical thinking.”

The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) led the functional literacy rating at 81.2 percent; while Central Luzon secured the top spot for the highest basic literacy rate at 92.8 percent.

In a statement, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the survey’s result highlighted the effects of DepEd’s efforts and vowed to intensify strategies moving forward.

“With a strong literacy base in place, we are poised to expand our programs to ensure that every Filipino gains the ability to think critically and engage meaningfully in society,” he said.

“We are continuously innovating our approaches to ensure that literacy education remains dynamic, engaging, and accessible to all.”

To date, the DepEd is working on improving the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) and National Reading Programs to achieve functional literacy among learners, he added.

Other efforts include refining the curriculum, targeted teaching strategies, and interventions considering different learners’ needs and regional disparities.

Angara urged other stakeholders to collaborate with the DepEd to help improve both basic and high literacy.

“We celebrate these literacy milestones while also committing to continuous improvement. Functional literacy is a powerful tool for national development, and we invite all sectors to join us in this mission,” he said.

Possible partners include other government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and other private entities, he added. (PNA)