Cordillera ranks among best in PH in early-grade reading, but 3,943 learners still struggle

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) tied with the National Capital Region (NCR) for the lowest proportion of struggling readers nationwide, with 5.3 percent of assessed Grades 1 to 3 learners experiencing reading difficulties during School Year 2025–2026.

Data from the Early Childhood Dashboard released by the Second Congressional Commission on Education, as cited by the Department of Education (DepEd) on October 31, 2026, showed that 3,943 of the 73,925 children assessed in Cordillera were classified as struggling readers.

The region's 5.3-percent rate was 4.6 percentage points below the national average, placing CAR among the regions with the smallest proportion of learners experiencing reading difficulties.

Despite its relatively favorable standing, thousands of young learners in the region still need support to improve their reading skills.

Baguio City recorded the highest number of struggling readers in CAR, with 897 out of 11,760 children assessed, followed by Abra with 846 out of 9,373 and Benguet with 793 out of 17,448.

Kalinga recorded 690 struggling readers out of 11,815 assessed learners, while Ifugao had 354 out of 10,706 and Apayao had 235 out of 5,937.

Mountain Province posted the lowest number, with 128 out of 6,886 children assessed.

BARMM, Region 12 post highest proportions

Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) recorded the highest proportion of struggling readers nationwide at 23.5 percent, representing 47,716 learners.

It was followed by Region 12 with 17.7 percent or 41,587 struggling readers, and Region 9 with 14.7 percent or 36,361 learners.

Region IV-A, meanwhile, recorded the highest absolute number of struggling readers at 47,840, despite posting a lower proportion of 6.7 percent.

The data highlight Cordillera's relatively strong performance in early-grade reading while underscoring the continuing need to address reading difficulties among thousands of learners across the region.