Tara, BASA! Tutoring Program Ceremonial MOA Signing Cum Program Launching

A pivotal moment in social welfare and education took center stage at Bulacan State University (BulSU) as it became the venue for the significant signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on March 19, 2024. The MOA, signed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Provincial Government of Bulacan, and various State Colleges and Universities in Bulacan, marks the beginning of the scale-up pilot implementation of the DSWD Tara, Basa Tutoring Program.

TBTP is a holistic social welfare and development model that creates a learning ecosystem wherein college students will be capacitated and deployed as tutors and Youth Development Workers (YDWs). The tutors will teach the children who are struggling to read or are non-readers. YDWs will conduct parenting sessions with parents or guardians on the care and protection of children and guide them to be the first teachers at home or "Nanay-Tatay Teacher". This program is the reformatted educational assistance of DSWD. It utilizes a Cash-for-Work (CFW) intervention for low-income families in difficult circumstances.

At the core of the MOA signing were key figures who played pivotal roles in advancing this transformative initiative. Representing their respective entities, the signatories included DSWD Central Luzon Regional Director Venus Rebuldela; Governor Daniel Fernando's representation by Provincial Administrator Antonette Constantino; Malolos City Mayor Atty. Christian Natividad, through City Administrator Joel Eugenio; San Jose del Monte Mayor Arturo Robes, with City Administrator Atty. Rizaldy Mendoza; Bulacan State University President Dr. Teody San Andres; Bulacan Polytechnic College President Dr. Janet Valdez; and City College of San Jose del Monte President Dr. Roger Ambida. Witnessing this historic event were key figures such as DSWD Undersecretary for Innovations Eduardo Punay, Bulacan Vice Governor Alex Castro, BulSU Vice President Dr. Keno Piad, Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Office III Assistant Regional Director Jessie Amin, along with Ms. Victoria Sison, Dr. Cherry Amor Dizon, Ms. Rowena Gugulan, Ms. Lolita SP Santos and Ms.Rowena Tiongson.

The event drew a diverse audience from the academic community of Bulacan State University including the members of the Administrative Council, faculty members, and students from the programs of Education, Social Work, and Psychology.