Butuan city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region (DSWD-13) announced that 357 parent tutors and youth development workers (YDWs) in Butuan City have received their cash-for-work incentives through the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program.

According to Philippines News Agency, these tutors and YDWs completed a 20-day session from May 9 to June 6, aimed at enhancing foundational reading skills for incoming Grade 2 learners across 51 public elementary schools in Butuan City. The participants included 190 parent tutors and 167 YDWs.

The DSWD-13 highlighted that the tutoring sessions focused on reading interventions, while the YDWs facilitated Nanay-Tatay Teacher Sessions. These sessions provided parents and guardians with strategies to support their children's learning and reading development at home. The program also aimed to foster leadership, social responsibility, and volunteerism among the participants.

"The provision of cash-for-work incentives is part of the program that acknowledges the vital contributions of the tutors and YDWs to the Tara, Basa! initiative," DSWD-13 stated.

Among the beneficiaries were Jenalyn Ente and Rosario Mata, both of whom expressed gratitude for the financial support. Ente plans to use the incentive for her children's school needs, while Mata noted that the payment will help sustain her children's daily requirements.

DSWD-13 further emphasized the broader impact of the program, stating that the incentives not only provide financial support but also encourage YDWs to remain active partners in promoting literacy, voluntarism, and community participation.