QUEZON CITY (PIA) — United in grassroots action to address the nation’s reading crisis, the National Book Development Board (NBDB) and reading advocates from across the country convened for the third annual National Alliance of Reading Advocates Conference (NARACon).
This year’s two-day summit, held from October 24 to 25, brought together approximately 100 educators, librarians, book club leaders, and representatives from nonprofit organizations to revitalize the country's reading culture, strategize community-level solutions, and champion the unseen efforts powering the Philippine literary movement.
Anchored on the theme “Kapalaran ng Lingkod-Mambabasa,” the conference challenges the notion of passive destiny, focusing instead on active, grassroots intervention to empower communities to build and drive their own reading movements.
As Daniel Mariano, READ Division Chief and NARACon Executive Producer, noted during the summit, the theme draws directly from the root word palad (palms)—reframing destiny not as a fixed fate, but as something shaped by human hands.
“Our success isn’t driven by destiny, but by our efforts. It’s driven by the schools we visit, the kids we get to read stories to, the teachers we collaborate with, and every community we reach and empower,” Mariano shared, highlighting the tangible, on-ground work happening in local storytelling spaces across the Philippines.
Opening the summit with the State of the Reading Nation Address (SORNA), NARA Convenor Yazhmin Malajito urged advocates to strengthen collaboration and drive sustained community literacy efforts as the foundation of a true reading nation.
“Your interventions have an impact. Ipagpatuloy lang po natin ang collaboration, scaling, and replication. Patuloy po nating i-empower at bigyan ng confidence ang isa’t isa so that every Filipino has the chance to enjoy reading and lead a meaningful life. Let’s build a nation of capable and lifelong readers,” said Malajito.
Following the SORNA, the gathering integrated high-level advocacy discussions with practical collaboration. Among others, attendees participated in networking activities, strategic planning sessions for the NARA Agenda 2030, and specialized workshops designed to strengthen the network of over 200 registered local reading advocacy organizations nationwide.
Launched by the NBDB’s Readership Development Division in 2023 as the agency’s premier reading campaign arm, NARA has steadily expanded its reach to address systemic gaps in the country's reading landscape.
As NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade previously emphasized, transforming the national attitude toward reading requires long-term, structural support, especially when it comes to expanding active “third spaces” and libraries across barangays.
“We can change the landscape with our activation of third spaces. We have about 1,700 libraries. So if you think about your 42,000 barangays, that’s one library out of approximately 24 barangays,” Aquino-Tugade pointed out.
“And how many are actually active? About 380. If there are 380 active libraries, and 42,000 barangays, that’s one library per 110 barangays. We need legislation to create third spaces,” she added, stressing that “books and stories don’t carry themselves—people do.”
With initiatives like the NARA Agenda guiding grassroots targets up to 2030, alongside institutional funding like READ's monetary grants for qualified advocacy groups, the alliance is bridging the gap between national policy and local action.
As NARACon wrapped up its sessions with the traditional oathtaking and renewal of commitment, it reaffirmed a powerful truth: books and stories may not carry themselves, but with thousands of dedicated hands driving the movement, the future of Philippine readership is bright, active, and firmly within reach. (JMP/PIA-NCR) Photo from NBDB
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