00:00Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
00:03Madayao ang mayang adlaw kaninyong tanan.
00:06Magandang araw sa inyong lahat.
00:08The 2024 Functional Literacy Survey reveals that
00:12while 9 out of 10 Filipinos have basic literacy,
00:16only 7 out of 10 aged 10 years old to 64
00:20are considered functionally literate.
00:23This stark gap reveals a critical challenge.
00:26Many Filipinos struggle with the deep comprehension needed
00:31for informed citizenship.
00:33This National Book Week let us recognize the challenge of the digital age.
00:39We are conditioned to consume information for speed, not depth,
00:44often sacrificing the sustained focus that true understanding demands.
00:50Comprehension begins as a daily practice at home,
00:53where understanding becomes instinct.
00:57Our schools must reinforce this by teaching students
01:00that reading is the key to thinking critically
01:04and questioning what they encounter.
01:07When our youth can truly comprehend what they read,
01:11they are empowered to make informed decisions,
01:14demand accountability, and actively shape their own futures.
01:17This National Book Week, I urge every Filipino
01:22to discover the joy of reading to enrich their understanding.
01:27Reading reconnects us to wisdom larger than our own experience
01:32and prepares us to confront and overcome the pressing challenges of our time.
01:37Magbasa, linangin ang kaisipan, at diwa sa tamang pangunawa.
01:44Mahalin natin ang Pilipinas para sa Diyos sa bayan
01:48at sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino.
01:50Shukran!
Comments