RD Wilma A. Perante, Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of PSA RSSO 7, presented the 2024 FLEMMS results for basic and functional literacy and mass media exposure. She noted that in Central Visayas, 92.2 percent or 92 in every 100 Filipinos aged 5 years and over are basically literate or one who can read and write a simple message in any language or dialect with understanding, and to compute or perform basic mathematical operations. This is slightly higher than the country’s basic literacy rate of 90.0 percent. Among the Provinces and Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) in the region, City of Mandaue posted the highest basic literacy rate at 95.2 percent. For functional literacy in Central Visayas, 67.6 percent or 68 in every 100 Filipinos aged 10 to 64 years are functionally literate or one who can read, write, compute, and comprehend.

In his welcome message through Audio Visual Presentation (AVP), National Statistician (NS) Claire Dennis S. Mapa acknowledged the participants for attending the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) Regional Data Dissemination Forum. He emphasized the importance of FLEMMS as a key statistical initiative that provides crucial insights on literacy, education, and media access in the Philippines. Moreover, he stated the enhanced scope of 2024 FLEMMS—covering over 177,000 households and 572,000 individuals— which strengthens the ability to create targeted, evidence-based policies. He expressed his gratitude to all who contributed to the survey’s success and encouraged continued collaboration to advance literacy and informed policymaking in the country.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Regional Statistical Services Office (RSSO) 7 successfully conducted the 2024 FLEMMS Regional Data Dissemination Forum on 29 May 2025 at Cebu Quincentennial Hotel, Cebu City. The forum was attended by stakeholders and policymakers from various sectors, including representatives from the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) 7, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) 7, Department of Education (DepEd) Offices in Bohol and Cebu, the academe, Regional Line Agencies (RLAs), and PSA personnel from the Central Office – Social Development Statistics Division spearheaded by Officer-in-Charge Jocelyn F. Abrenica, RSSO 7 headed by OIC - Regional Director Wilma A. Perante, and provincial heads and FLEMMS focal persons from the Provincial Statistical Offices of Bohol and Cebu.

The activity aimed to present results which will guide education policies, program planning at the local level, while being a venue for discussion amongst stakeholders and local policymakers alike.

The 2024 FLEMMS is the seventh in a series of nationwide literacy surveys implemented by PSA. This survey is the main source of basic and functional literacy statistics in the Philippines. Moreover, it is designed to provide a quantitative framework and a reliable baseline data that will guide the development and evaluation of educational and literacy policies and programs. The nationwide data collection for the 2024 FLEMMS took place from 30 September to 22 October 2024.