Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III rallied barangays across the country on Thursday to spearhead the frontline battle against illiteracy, framing education as the ultimate weapon to conquer poverty. 

Speaking via a video message to the Liga ng mga Barangay under this year's theme, “Zero Illiteracy — One Barangay at a Time,” Speaker Dy mobilized local leaders to ensure every Filipino secures access to learning, economic mobility, and a dignified life. 

He warned that illiteracy acts as a heavy anchor, dragging down communities by shutting out citizens from critical jobs and blocking them from participating in national economic growth.

“Napakalalim po ng mensaheng dala ng temang ito dahil ang laban kontra illiteracy ay hindi lamang kampanya para sa edukasyon. It is a campaign to provide opportunities, livelihood, and dignity. It is a fight for the future of our nation,” Speaker Dy said.

The House leader from Isabela hammered home that literacy equals empowerment, functioning as the key master key for personal and societal advancement. 

“Kaya mahalagang maintindihan natin: literacy is empowerment. Ito ang susi upang mabigyan ng kakayahan ang mamamayan na mas mapabuti ang kanilang buhay.” The House Speaker added.

Dy explained that the campaign transcends standard schooling, operating instead as a direct pipeline to better livelihoods and stronger community development. 

By boosting basic literacy skills nationwide, the country can simultaneously build a more robust, competitive workforce and unlock fresh business and employment opportunities for millions of struggling families.

Because local officials sit closest to the people, Dy stressed that the true battle begins at the grassroots level rather than inside national government offices. 

He called on barangay leaders to actively scout their neighborhoods to identify out-of-school children, guide at-risk youth, and lift up families needing educational interventions. 

“Kayo ang unang nakakakita kung sinong bata ang hindi nakakapasok sa paaralan, kung sinong kabataan ang kailangang gabayan, at kung aling pamilya ang nangangailangan ng tulong upang mabigyan ng pagkakataong matuto at umasenso.” Speaker Dy appealed.

By taking immediate ownership of their communities, local leaders can dismantle learning barriers directly at the source and pave the way for a more progressive nation.