The cities of Mandaue and Cebu have shown commendable results in basic literacy, ranking fifth and eighth respectively among highly urbanized cities (HUCs) in the Philippines, according to the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (Flemms) released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on May 23, 2025. Mandaue City achieved a basic literacy rate of 95.2 percent while Cebu City recorded a rate of 94.7 percent.

Basic literacy in this context is defined as the ability to read and write simple messages in any language or dialect with comprehension, as well as the capability to perform basic mathematical calculations.

The national average for basic literacy across the Philippines stands at 90.0 percent.

Pasay City topped the rankings with a literacy rate of 96.2 percent, followed closely by Cagayan de Oro at 96.1 percent.

The remaining cities in the top ten include San Juan (95.5 percent), Pasig (95.5 percent), Pateros (95.1 percent), Olongapo (94.9 percent), Taguig (94.6 percent), and Makati (94.3 percent).

In a broader educational context, Bohol province, part of the Central Visayas region, achieved a literacy rate of 94.22 percent, ranking fifth among provinces, while Apayao province reported the highest literacy rate nationwide at 95.2 percent.

This was paralleled by Benguet, excluding Baguio City, which recorded a rate of 94.9 percent.

Apayao and Benguet together form part of the Cordillera Administrative Region, which boasts the second-highest regional basic literacy rate in the nation at 92.7 percent.

Further insights reveal that the top ten provinces with the highest basic literacy rates all surpassed their respective regional averages.

Provinces such as Romblon (94.6 percent), Nueva Ecija (94.23 percent), Rizal (94.20 percent), South Cotabato excluding General Santos City (93.7 percent), Bataan (93.64 percent), Cavite (93.56 percent), and Bulacan (93.5 percent) also demonstrated significant literacy outcomes.

In terms of functional literacy, Bohol and Siquijor have shown promising results, with functional literacy rates of 79.2 percent and 80 percent, respectively.

Functional literacy encompasses the ability to read, write, perform basic calculations, and effectively understand and act upon the information read or written.

Benguet recorded the highest functional literacy rate at 87.9 percent, followed closely by Apayao at 86.8 percent.

Other provinces achieving notable functional literacy rates include Rizal (82.1 percent), Romblon (81.9 percent), Batangas (81.3 percent), Bataan (77.8 percent), Cavite (77.45 percent), and South Cotabato (77.43 percent).

The results of the 2024 survey indicate a slight decline in basic literacy rates in Central Visayas, which recorded a 95.8 percent rate in 2019, down from 96.2 percent in 2013. Factors such as access to electricity have been linked to higher literacy outcomes, with those having electricity recording a basic literacy rate of 94.3 percent compared to 82.8 percent for those without.

Educational attainment also influenced literacy rates, showing that individuals who completed at least junior high school under the K-12 curriculum achieved a 100 percent basic literacy rate.

In contrast, those with no formal education or only early childhood education reported the lowest rates at 42.5 percent.

These figures reflect the literacy landscape for Filipinos aged five and older across Central Visayas.