Manila, Aug. 1 -- Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday called on local government units (LGUs) to take urgent action in addressing the country's worsening literacy and comprehension crisis, following survey results released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

"I am reiterating my call on the mobilization of local government units to combat our comprehension crisis. Hindi natin maaaring ipagpaliban ang pagsugpo sa illiteracy dahil kinabukasan ng ating bansa ang nakasalalay dito (We cannot delay addressing illiteracy because the future of our nation is at stake)," he said in a statement.

Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, emphasized the need to strengthen the role of LGUs in promoting literacy at...