Pasay tops Metro cities with struggling readers – report

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March 20, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Pasay topped cities in Metro Manila with struggling readers as it posted 47.50 percent, according to the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2)’s report.

Students struggling with reading have reached 39.93 percent in Metro Manila as of Jan. 19, based on the Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment conducted by the Department of Education.

Muntinlupa ranked second to Pasay with 45.29 percent, followed by Manila with 44.43 percent, Las Piñas with 44.2 percent and Parañaque with 43.87 percent.

About 43.2 percent of Navotas students are struggling readers, followed by Malabon, 43.18 percent; Mandaluyong, 41.43 percent; Pateros, 41.19 percent and Quezon City, 39.71 percent.

In Pasig, struggling readers are at 39.36 percent, followed by Marikina at 38.10 percent, Taguig at 38.03 percent and San Juan at 36.63 percent.

As for cities with the lowest number of struggling readers, Valenzuela topped the list with just 27.44 percent, followed by Makati with 32.19 percent and Caloocan with 33.07 percent.

The EDCOM 2 report noted that 761 barangays in Metro Manila do not have child development centers.

Of the number, 479 barangays are in Manila and 116 barangays are in Pasay.

Most Grades 4 to 10 students nationwide are struggling readers, with proportions ranging from 67 percent in Grade 5 to 88 percent in Grade 7.

“These findings substantiate the importance of EDCOM 2’s earlier recommendation to create protected time in the school calendar for intensive remediation and to pursue out-of-the-box solutions to address learning gaps,” the body said.

Local government units are encouraged to access the LGU Resource Center and EDCOM 2 LGU Playbook by visiting www.edcom2.gov.ph/lguresources/.

“Our country’s future is at stake, but we have seen what happens when a mayor takes charge,” EDCOM 2 executive director Karol Mark Yee said.