Baybay, Leyte — Students from the College of Teacher Education (CTE), College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE), and College of Midwifery (CMW) of the Franciscan College of the Immaculate Conception (FCIC) actively participated in the Student Orientation on the TARA, BASA! Tutoring Program, a developmental and community-based social protection initiative designed to uplift low-income families and empower college students.
The orientation, facilitated by Mr. Ian James Acilo and Ms. Lei Rea Salde, featured a program discussion led by Ms. Jirah P. Jamorawon, Project Development Officer II of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The event was further strengthened by the presence of key personnel from DSWD Regional Office VIII, alongside Dr. Maria Victoria A. Gonzaga, Dean of the College of Teacher Education, Mr. Dellio V. Belmores, CTE Program Head, and faculty members from CTE and General Education.
Through the orientation, FCIC students gained deeper insight into their vital role as Tutors and Youth Development Workers (YDWs) under the Cash-for-Work program. The initiative not only provides financial support but also cultivates a spirit of service, encouraging students to extend their knowledge and compassion to underprivileged communities.
Quotes from the session highlighted the transformative power of education and service. Students were reminded that their participation in tutoring and development work directly contributes to creating opportunities, fostering hope, and strengthening the nation’s commitment to inclusive education.
The TARA, BASA! program aligns with FCIC’s mission of nurturing competent, compassionate, and community-oriented graduates. By engaging in this initiative, students embody the Franciscan values of service and solidarity, proving that education is not confined to classrooms but extends to the broader community.
As the motto beautifully declares, “Sa pagbasa may pag-asa”—in reading, there is hope. When the youth choose to teach, serve, and uplift, hope begins to grow, and communities are transformed.
The orientation marks the beginning of FCIC students’ active involvement in a program that bridges education and social responsibility. With their commitment, the TARA, BASA! Tutoring Program becomes more than a project—it becomes a movement of empowerment, compassion, and lasting change. Kaya, TARA, BASA!
by: Dellio V. Belmores, LPT, M.A.Ed
