The United States government on announced an additional P485 million in funding to expand the Advancing Basic Education in the Philippines (ABC+) project, a US Agency for International Development (USAid)-funded initiative that aims to improve the literacy and math skills of children in the Philippines.

With a total funding of P2.6 billion, ABC+ will now extend its reach to new regions, including select areas in the National Capital Region (NCR), Region IV-B, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Region XII. The additional funding will provide 900,000 new books and learning materials, benefiting an additional 350,000 students and bringing the total number of students reached to 2.8 million.

"We are focusing on strengthening students' foundational skills, especially for those students who are struggling with reading. Just as with learning to read, we are taking a team approach — advancing step by step, word by word, teacher by teacher, student by student, to open possibilities for Filipino youth," US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said.

"The United States is committed to working with the Philippines to provide a quality education that empowers children to enjoy a successful future," she added.

To commemorate the program's growth, Ambassador Carlson led the handover of K-3 books to the Schools Division Office of Malabon City, one of the project's new expansion areas. Along with Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, she led a read-along session with Grade 3 students from Malabon Elementary School to further encourage a love for reading.

Also in attendance were Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, officials from DepEd NCR, Region IV-B, and representatives of Schools Division Offices in Malabon, Marikina, and Pasig.

"There is so much to be thankful for — the USAid ABC+ project has been successful in improving the capacities of our learners, and we want to expand it using the resources of the DepEd in the same way, with the same quality, the same measurability, and the same rigor that ABC+ has provided. I see not just thousands of learners blooming, but millions of learners blooming because of these contributions," said Education Secretary Angara.

The ABC+ project aims to build on its successful track record in the new regions. Through this project, USAid has provided over 43,000 educators with early literacy training certified by the National Educators Academy of the Philippines; created and distributed 33.2 million early grade literacy materials; and supported students in Regions V, VI, and select areas in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Since 2019, USAid has been working with DepEd through the ABC+ project to strengthen teacher professional development, improve the availability and use of learning resources, bolster the capacity of the education system, and support effective early grade instruction.