Cebuana Lhuillier Aralan: Expanding Access to Education Through Community-Based Learning

     Through community libraries, books, digital learning tools, and school supplies, Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation continues to support children’s literacy and learning opportunities. Education goes beyond the four walls of a classroom. For children to develop strong reading and comprehension skills, they need access to books, a comfortable space to study, and learning resources that encourage curiosity. Unfortunately, these opportunities remain out of reach for many Filipino children, especially those living in underserved and remote communities.

     This is the gap that Cebuana Lhuillier hopes to help address through Cebuana Aralan, its Mini Library Project designed to bring educational resources closer to children who need them most. The need for stronger literacy support remains evident in the Philippines. According to the World Bank's 2026 report, 91% of Filipino 10-year-olds cannot read and understand an age-appropriate text, a situation known as learning poverty. Meanwhile, the latest PISA 2025 results show that only 31% of Filipino 15-year-olds achieved at least Level 2 reading proficiency, compared with 69% across OECD countries. These figures highlight the importance of making learning resources more accessible, particularly during a child's formative years.

Cebuana Lhuillier Aralan: Expanding Access to Education Through Community-Based Learning 

Making Learning Resources More Accessible

     For Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier, the idea behind Cebuana Aralan began after learning about the situation at Graciano Lopez Jaena Elementary School in Manila, where students did not have a library to support their reading and study needs.

     Recognizing how the absence of a dedicated learning space could limit children's opportunities to explore books, discover new ideas, and learn beyond their regular classes, Lhuillier saw an opportunity to respond to a practical need through the Cebuana Aralan Mini Library Project.

We believe that every child deserves a fair chance to succeed and that opportunities should not be determined by circumstance. Cebuana Aralan reflects our commitment to helping create a stronger foundation for children and supporting them as they work toward their aspirations,” he said.

     The need for continued support is further underscored by the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS), which found that 18.9 million Filipinos aged 10 to 64 were functionally illiterate. This means they experienced difficulty understanding written information despite having basic reading and language skills.

     While recent learning assessments show progress in reading among Filipino Grade 5 learners, disparities remain. Improving literacy requires sustained efforts to ensure children have access to the resources and opportunities they need to strengthen their foundational skills.

Beyond Books: Creating More Opportunities to Learn

     Implemented by Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. (CLFI), Cebuana Aralan goes beyond providing books. The initiative combines traditional reading materials with digital learning tools, school supplies, and practical learning opportunities to help address the needs of underserved communities.

     To date, the project has established three community and school libraries, donated more than 2,500 books, and distributed 764 school supply packs. It has also introduced the C Learning eLibrary App and digital library tablets loaded with ebooks, giving students additional ways to access educational materials.

     By combining print and digital resources, Cebuana Aralan aims to make learning more accessible and encourage children to develop reading habits that can support them throughout their education.

     The program also recognizes that addressing educational gaps requires more than the efforts of one organization. Through partnerships with local government units, NGOs, community leaders, educators, volunteers, scholars, and other stakeholders, CLFI works to identify communities that can benefit from the initiative and better understand the needs of local learners.

     Cebuana Aralan also connects CLFI's Inclusive Education and Financial Inclusion programs, complementing literacy initiatives with financial education and practical knowledge that children and communities can use in everyday life.

Education initiatives are most meaningful when they respond to the realities of the communities they serve. By working with local partners and listening to what learners need, we can bring resources closer to them and create opportunities that can make a practical difference in their everyday learning,” said Jo-Ann Tacorda, First Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Cebuana Lhuillier and Executive Director of CLFI.

Building a Brighter Future, One Community at a Time

     As CLFI works toward expanding Cebuana Aralan to more remote barangays across the country, its goal remains clear: a child's location should not determine their access to learning opportunities.

     For many children, having a library, discovering a new book, or gaining access to digital learning materials can open doors to new interests and possibilities. While these resources alone cannot solve the country's literacy challenges, they can play an important role in helping learners build stronger foundations.

     Through Cebuana Aralan, Cebuana Lhuillier continues to support efforts that bring learning closer to Filipino children, helping them strengthen their skills, build confidence, and work toward a future filled with greater possibilities.