21 September 2025 | News by PISD
The Zero Illiteracy and Innumeracy Program (ZIIP) has successfully secured the full support of the local governments of Bongabong, Mansalay and Bulalacao.
These three municipalities, the last remaining in the 2nd District were visited by ZIIP Technical Working Group (TWG) on 19 September as a part of the program’s mission to strengthen the collaboration between Local Government Units (LGUs) and the Provincial Government to collectively elevate the education levels of the Indigenous Community in Oriental Mindoro.
ZIIP TWG considers the support from these municipalities in achieving the program’s goal to improve literacy and numeracy skills among indigenous people.
Mansalay Municipal Administrator Alexies A. Diama emphasized that this initiative benefits indigenous people who have been left behind in education. He also noted its positive impact on college graduates from these communities who remain unemployed, as the program provides job opportunities for them. Diama further stated that the program complements their local advocacy to assist indigenous people, especially in education to enhance their
quality of life and livelihood.
The ZIIP TWG has endorsed the Government Internship Program (GIP) Interns and Para- teachers in the three municipalities.
Furthermore, the group also conducted an initial monitoring of the GIP Interns and Para-teachers to assess proper program implementation and to understand the situation in the communities. They gathered insight on the challenges faced by the Para-teachers in educating their fellow indigenous learners to identify effective measures for continuing the ZIIP’s implementation.
Ongoing cooperation between local governments and ZIIP will open more opportunities for
indigenous people in the province, reinforcing Governor Humerlito “Bonz†A. Dolor’s
commitment to ensuring that no indigenous people in Oriental Mindoro is left illiterate and
innumerate.