Staying true to its realigned mission to focus on education, Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. (CLFI), in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), took part in this year’s National Literacy Conference. Conducted by the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC), this momentous event was held at Teachers Camp, Baguio City on September 4 and 5.
With the theme “Literacy for Inclusive Growth”, the two-day event was highlighted by the presentation of winners of the Hall of Fame Award and the Special Award of Excellence in Literacy—the highest award conferred for the first time this year to two Local Government Units (LGUs). CLFI served as the benefactor of the cash component amounting to Php 200,000.00 each for the said award.
Davao City won the Hall of Fame Award, while the municipalities of Agoo, La Union and Tubungan, Iloilo bagged the Special Award of Excellence in Literacy as previous Hall of Famers (3-time first placers in the annual awards) who have proven sustainability of their winning programs for three years after winning the Hall of Fame awards. Responding to the heart-warming appreciation of the LCC Chairperson DepEd Undersecretary Rizalino Rivera, CLFI Executive Trustee and General Manager Atty. Cesar R. Vidal delivered an inspiring message after the awarding ceremony.
In his message, Atty. Vidal recounted how CLFI Chairman Ambassador Philippe Lhuillier and CLFI President and CEO Dr. Jean Henri Lhuillier readily approved the proposal to be the benefactor in the highest award on literacy. He shared that the Lhuilliers fully believe in the high importance of this program to our country and in our everyday life. Atty. Vidal also introduced to the delegates CLFI’s advocacy on education, one of which is its support to DepEd’s Alternative Learning System.
The conference was attended by 433 participants from the eight different sectors represented in the LCC — DepEd, Senate, House of Representatives, Department of Interior and Local Government, National Economic and Development Authority, Public Information Agency, Philippine Normal University, and Nongovernment Organization.
“Mother of Literacy” and LCC creator Senator Santanina Razul graced the event.