Manila, June 23 -- At least 11,592 struggling learners, parents, and poor college students in Eastern Visayas benefited this year from the expanded Tara, Basa! (Let's read) tutoring program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) this year.

In a statement on Monday, the DSWD said the initiative supported 1,512 college students serving as tutors and youth development workers (YDWs), 5,040 struggling readers, and 5,040 parents and guardians.

Implemented in 132 public schools across Tacloban City, Ormoc City, and Samar province, the program addresses reading challenges while providing financial assistance to low-income college students.

Qualified college students from poor families were tapped to tutor struggling or non...