Tacloban: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released PHP12.92 million to support college students who participated in its reading tutorial initiative across Leyte and Samar provinces. This financial aid was provided to students who took part in the "Tara, Basa!" program, which ran from May 19 to June 13.

According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD Eastern Visayas regional information officer Jonalyndie Chua stated in a phone interview that approximately 1,512 college students from five regional campuses received their cash-for-work payments. These payments, amounting to PHP8,550 per student, were based on the prevailing regional minimum wage.

The DSWD organized a series of payouts starting June 20 and continuing until the first week of July in Tacloban, Catbalogan, and Ormoc. The benefiting students were from Northwest Samar State University in Calbayog City, Samar State University in Catbalogan City, Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) main campus in Tacloban City, Leyte Normal University also in Tacloban, EVSU satellite campus in Ormoc City, and City College of Ormoc.

During the program, 1,008 college students served as reading tutors for struggling and non-reader incoming Grade 2 pupils, while 504 students were trained as Youth Development Workers (YDWs) to conduct sessions for parents, according to Chua.

In total, the expanded reading tutorial program benefited 11,592 individuals in Eastern Visayas, including struggling learners, parents, and financially challenged college students. The initiative not only supported 1,512 college students as tutors and YDWs but also assisted 5,040 struggling readers and 5,040 parents and guardians.

Implemented across 132 public schools in Tacloban City, Ormoc City, and Samar province, the program aims to tackle reading challenges while simultaneously providing financial aid to low-income college students.