The Hope Builders Organization Negros Island Inc. (HBONI) presented its project proposal, ‘PAGBASA: May Pag-asa sa Pagbasa’, to Barangay Libacao officials in Himamaylan City on Friday, August 1, 2025, earning a warm reception and the support of local leaders.

Program Coordinator Wilfred Miranda, along with Harold Matutina, Logistics Head, and Marie Dawn Faca, Partnership Head, led the presentation of the literacy advocacy initiative, which aims to provide reading sessions on weekends, storytelling activities, and basic literacy development for early-grade students in the barangay.

Punong Barangay Antonino Immanuel R. Limsiaco welcomed the proposal, expressing full support for the initiative. He committed to providing a venue within the barangay to conduct Saturday sessions.

“The children of our barangay will benefit greatly from this initiative, and we are thankful to the PAGBASA team for choosing Libacao,” he said.

Meanwhile, SK Chairperson Micah Princess V. Rullan also pledged support by offering snacks and educational materials to the children who will participate in the sessions.

Janice G. Fernandez, Principal of Don Remigio M. Limsiaco Elementary School, likewise expressed her commitment to the initiative by arranging a meeting with parents to introduce the program and encourage community involvement.

The PAGBASA: May Pag-asa sa Pagbasa program is a community-based literacy initiative designed to address reading challenges among school-aged children through volunteer-led weekend reading interventions. It also promotes stronger partnerships between local government units, schools, and civic organizations.*