The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Tara, Basa! sa Barrio initiative has disbursed more than PHP1 million in cash grants to 248 beneficiaries since its pilot implementation in 2025.
Tara Basa! To the Barrio is one of the modalities of the Tara Basa! Tutoring Program (TBTP).
This is a joint initiative of the TBTP and Caritas Philippines that was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Nov. 7, 2025.
The MOA was aimed at providing tutorial services to learners in urban poor communities and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).
The modality promotes community-based learning, bringing literacy and learning directly to the heart of the communities and beyond the four walls of the classroom.
Undersecretary Edu Punay of the DSWD’s Innovations and Program Development Group (IPDG) on Wednesday said the program has successfully advanced its goal of promoting community-based learning among underprivileged students and families.
“We are happy that more tutors and more youth development workers are now being part of the Tara, Basa tutoring program after its expansion last year. Through the recently launched Tara, Basa sa Barrio, we successfully gave PHP1,066,540 for Cash-for-Work and Cash-for-Trainings in central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Metro Manila,” Punay said in a news release on Wednesday.
The pilot implementation was conducted in Novaliches, Quezon City, as well as in the provinces of Laguna and Bulacan.
In Metro Manila, a total amount of PHP111,625 was disbursed for Cash-for-Work (CFW) grants to Parents, while PHP232,130 was released for Cash-for-Work (CFW) and Cash-for-Training (CFT) grants for Tutors and Youth Development Workers (TYDWs).
Meanwhile, Central Luzon received PHP470,435 in CFW and CFT grants, and Calabarzon had PHP252,350 for the same purpose.
In Quezon City, and Sta. Rosa, Laguna, a total of 135 beneficiaries – comprising 16 tutors, nine Youth Development Workers (YDWs), 53 parents, and 57 learners – received cash assistance, training, and tutorial and parenting sessions.
Meanwhile, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan recorded 113 beneficiaries composed of 15 tutors, nine YDWs, 44 parents, and 45 learners who also received grants.
Aside from the Tara, Basa! sa Barrio, the TBTP also successfully implemented two other modalities last year – the Tara Basa sa Center and Residential Care Facilities (CRCFs), and the Reading Corner located at the Walang Gutom Kitchen (WGK).
For 2026, the TBTP is targeting 130,000 beneficiaries to be included in CFWs, CFTs, learning and parenting sessions. (PNA)