More children and youth in the communities benefit from the information and reading centers (IRCs) established in the barangays, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The Department said this is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s agenda on peace and progress that go hand in hand with education and inclusive governance at the grassroots level.

Supporting the implementation of Section 17 of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code, the DILG reiterated the need for barangays to establish their IRCs, providing early learning support, reading materials, and safe environments for children and youth.

This resulted in 13,648 or 45.02 percent of barangays now having operational IRCs nationwide as of June 19, 2025, strengthening the DILG’s commitment to supporting the Department of Education (DepEd) and advancing community-based learning efforts through a unified, whole-of-government approach.

Meanwhile, 5,027 or 16.58 percent of barangays have access to IRCs of either their city or municipal government or their neighboring barangays.

In Caraga, Sangguniang Kabataan leaders conduct weekend reading circles in barangay basketball courts while in Region IV-A, local officials have created dedicated book corners with barangay funds and donations.

Also, in Region XI, retired teachers and parent-volunteers tutor children in barangay halls converted into informal learning spaces.

The DILG shared that these efforts have gone beyond one-off events and have been replicated, scaled, and sustained by neighboring communities. “What began as small initiatives have become reliable venues for education, trust building, and youth engagement,” the Department said.

Original Article At: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-Information-and-reading-centers-in-barangays-benefiting-Filipino-children-and-youth/NC-2025-1072