CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, August 11, 2026 – Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Office X and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have joined forces to bring modern reading hubs to five public schools across Northern Mindanao.
The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) by Regional Director Dr. Ruth L. Fuentes, CESO III, representing DepEd Region X, and Country Director Anthony John M. Balledos for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
At the heart of the partnership is a shared commitment to helping learners overcome reading difficulties by equipping schools with dedicated learning spaces, quality instructional resources, and facilities that support effective reading intervention programs.
Under the agreement, Lubluban Integrated School (Schools Division of Misamis Oriental), Sil-ipon Integrated School (Schools Division of Bukidnon), Rufo Dela Cruz Integrated School (Schools Division of Lanao del Norte), Kuguita Integrated School (Schools Division of Camiguin), and Misamis Annex Integrated School (Schools Division of Ozamiz City) will each receive a fully equipped Reading Hub worth ₱640,000, bringing the total project investment to approximately ₱3.2 million.
Each Reading Hub is designed to become a welcoming learning space where elementary, junior high school, and senior high school learners who need additional support in reading can receive focused instruction. The facilities will feature two prefabricated insulated container classrooms that provide approximately 36 square meters of learning space and can accommodate up to 40 learners at a time.
To create an environment that encourages learning and engagement, every Reading Hub will be equipped with two air-conditioning units, 40 monobloc study chairs, 10 folding tables, bookshelves, cabinet counters, and a starter collection of books and other learning materials. These spaces will serve as dedicated venues for reading intervention sessions, tutorials, and literacy enrichment activities.
The project supports DepEd’s continuing efforts to strengthen foundational literacy, a key priority under the Basic Education Agenda, by ensuring that learners who need additional assistance have access to quality learning environments and appropriate instructional resources.
Dr. Ruth L. Fuentes, CESO III, Regional Director of DepEd Region X, expressed her sincere gratitude to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its unwavering support, generous partnership, and shared commitment to joining DepEd in its mission to strengthen foundational literacy.
The Reading Hub Project reflects the shared belief that literacy opens doors to lifelong learning and greater opportunities. By providing accessible, resource-rich spaces where learners can strengthen their reading skills, the initiative seeks to help children gain the confidence they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
