The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced Friday it is working to institutionalize the “Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program” by pushing for a law to ensure its long-term sustainability.

Undersecretary Edu Punay of the DSWD’s Innovations and Programs Development Group said the DSWD views “Tara, Basa!” as a vital part of its social protection efforts. The program provides financial aid to second-to fourth-year college students from low-income families while addressing challenges in reading comprehension among elementary learners.

“This program already has an executive order from the President [Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.] to expedite implementation,” Punay said. “But yes, you are correct, for the longer term, we need a law. For ‘Tara, Basa!’, we have already found a sponsor for the bill.”

Under the program, college students, particularly those studying education and social work, receive cash-for-work based on the prevailing regional wage rate. In exchange, they serve as tutors for struggling elementary readers and as youth development workers (YDWs), conducting parenting and learning sessions for the parents and guardians of grade school students.

These student-beneficiaries commit to 20 days of service to help enhance reading and comprehension skills.

Punay expressed hope that the “Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program” will grow into a national initiative on the scale of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

“This is very important for sustainability, and that is our target,” Punay said. “Hopefully, it will eventually become as large as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the years to come.”

Since its pilot implementation in 2023, the program has assisted over 350,000 beneficiaries, including young readers, their parents, and the college student tutors and YDWs.