Parent and guardian beneficiaries of the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program (TBTP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga in Dapa, Surigao del Norte took part in the three-day Parents Effectiveness Service (PES) held on October 28–30, 2025.

The sessions were conducted in five clustered venues located in the barangays of Union, Don Paulino, Uno, Dagohoy, and Consolacion, engaging a total of 229 TBTP parents and guardians.

Key topics were covered in the sessions, including family communication, understanding child behavior, strengthening parent-child relationships, and responsible parenthood. The discussions offered practical guidance on applying positive discipline, empathy, and open communication to build a more harmonious family setting.

Participants expressed their appreciation for the sessions, noting that the activity helped them become more patient, understanding, and proactive in guiding their children. They also valued the chance to share experiences and insights with fellow parents, which allowed them to better understand the common challenges of parenting.

PES is a core component of TBTP designed to enhance parents’ capabilities in nurturing their children’s growth, emotional well-being, and educational development. It emphasizes the vital role of parents and guardians in fostering a supportive home environment that promotes learning and positive values.

TBTP is one of the new flagship programs of DSWD spearheaded by Secretary Rex Gatchalian that aims to create a tutoring community and to bridge learning gaps among elementary pupils while strengthening parental involvement through Nanay-Tatay learning sessions. By combining tutoring support with family engagement, it seeks to improve children’s academic performance and overall well-being.