MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY SKILLS, LEARNING ENGAGEMENT AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF INTERMEDIATE LEARNERS IN CATANAUAN DISTRICT I AND II, DIVISION OF QUEZON: BASIS FOR ENHANCEMENT INTERVENTION PROGRAM

The rapid development of digital technology has changed how learners’ access and interact with information, and media and information literacy (MIL) has become a critical component of academic success. This study examines the intermediate learners' media, information, and digital literacy levels, as well as their learning engagement and academic performance in Catanauan District I and II. Facebook is primarily used for social purposes, whereas YouTube is primarily used for learning, according to the research, which focuses specifically on how digital platforms—Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube—are used. Learners were given a structured survey questionnaire to complete as part of a quantitative research design, which collected information on their internet usage, digital habits, and academic performance. According to research, the majority of learners use smartphones to access the internet, with speeds typically falling below 10 Mbps. Based on demographic variables like gender, grade level, family income, and access to ICT, the study discovered significant disparities in media and information literacy. Digital literacy received the highest score out of the three literacies, closely followed by information literacy and media literacy. While information literacy demonstrated a strong positive correlation with academic achievement, digital literacy was significantly correlated with learning engagement. Learners received a "Fairly Satisfactory" academic rating, showed a moderate level of engagement in their studies, mostly through online research, and performed poorly in mathematics but well in Filipino. The study emphasizes how difficult it is for low-income learners to get access to ICT resources and rapid internet. The study highlights how social media can be used as a platform for both entertainment and education. According to the study's conclusions, more parental involvement to encourage responsible internet use, improved ICT access for underprivileged learners, and the inclusion of digital literacy courses in the curriculum are all recommended. Future studies recommend examining the long-term effects of digital literacy and creating focused interventions for learners who have little access to ICT. In an increasingly digital world, these initiatives can improve learners' learning engagement and academic success by giving them the fundamental digital competencies they need.