Speaking during a recent radio segment launching of the "Literacy Laban sa Kahirapan, Literacy Tungo sa Kaunlaran," Bacani stressed literacy is an indespensable social and economic participation contributing to human development and poverty reduction.

Bacani, concurrent chairperson of the Department of Education’s Literacy Coordinating Council, said the radio episode of the literacy advocacy is being piloted in the Eastern Visayas provinces of Western Samar, Northern Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Southern Leyte and Eastern Samar.

If the program will be successful in Region 8, Bacani said, there is a strong possibility that the advocacy through radio segment will be adopted nationwide in the near future.

According to Bacani, a person who is functionally literate – one who knows how to read, write and count – will easily finds a productive endeavor.

That same person will also not be easily persuaded to join the elements whose ideologies are contrary to the rule of law, Bacani added.

"This is why," Bacani continued, "literacy is central to the efforts of eradicating poverty and hunger."