02/09/2026
𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | SAAVS Lends Books to Barangay Dalupirit, San Antonio, Northern Samar, for Community Reading Area
SAN ANTONIO, NORTHERN SAMAR — September 1, 2026 — The San Antonio Agricultural Vocational School (SAAVS) has approved the temporary lending of 87 books to Barangay Dalupirit to support the establishment of its reading area and make learning materials more accessible to residents.
The arrangement was initiated following coordination with SAAVS Books Nook Coordinator/Librarian Grace C. Gorpido and information relayed to Barangay Kagawad Teles B. Esponilla on August 17, 2026. It was officially approved by SAAVS School Head Ma’am Leonor C. Luba on August 20.
Barangay Dalupirit established the reading area after recognizing the need for more accessible books and learning resources for its residents. The borrowed books will be used temporarily while the barangay continues to develop the facility and its programs.
According to Kagawad Teles B. Esponilla, the barangay is envisioning several activities to make the reading area more useful to residents. The planned programs include:
•“Oplan: Bawat Bata Bumabasa” - a proposed one-on-one reading tutorial for non-readers;
•“Iristorya sa Barangay” — a planned Saturday storytelling session;
• Reading Reward Program — an initiative intended to motivate children to read; and
• Parent and Guardian Seminars — sessions envisioned to help parents and guardians support their children’s reading development at home.
Kagawad Esponilla clarified that these activities remain plans and aspirations for the future and have not yet been officially implemented. The barangay hopes to prioritize non-readers and eventually work toward its goal of having zero non-readers in Barangay Dalupirit. The reading area, meanwhile, is intended to be open to all residents.
Meanwhile, SK Chairperson John Mark E. Castillo said the project was inspired by the desire to provide young people with a safe and productive place to spend their free time, especially amid the growing distractions brought by mobile phones and other activities.
The SK Chairperson also emphasized that the reading area could help encourage out-of-school youth (OSY) and other children to rediscover the value of education and learning. The initiative was supported by Barangay Captain Hon. Ignacio Remirez, who recognized the importance of establishing a reading center in Dalupirit.
“A simple bookshelf is more than furniture; it is a symbol of hope,” the SK Chairperson said, emphasizing that the project aims not only to provide books but also to nurture discipline, encourage learning, and inspire young people to build a better future.
The books were borrowed by Barangay Dalupirit on September 1, 2026. Under the current arrangement, the materials will remain in the barangay until the SAAVS School Library requests an inventory, inspection, or return of the books.
Through the partnership, SAAVS and Barangay Dalupirit aim to make reading materials more accessible while encouraging literacy and lifelong learning among residents.
Words by Ampuan, Ara Jean G.
photo by Kagawad Esponilla, Teles B.
