DepEd, Valenzuela LGU, private firms expand school feeding and ICT support

The Department of Education (DepEd), the Valenzuela City government, and private sector partners on Wednesday carried out a joint initiative to support learner nutrition and digital access at Malinta Elementary School in Barangay Malinta.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara led the distribution of hot meals under the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) and oversaw the turnover of information and communications technology (ICT) equipment donated through DepEd’s partnership with the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) and its member companies. Valenzuela Mayor Wes Gatchalian joined the activity.

During the event, Shearwater Health Advisors Inc., Ascendion Digital Solutions Philippines Inc., and Ernst & Young Global Services (Philippines), Inc. formally turned over 378 ICT devices to DepEd. The donation forms part of the 2,119 ICT units mobilized to date by IBPAP in support of digital transformation efforts in public schools nationwide.

Angara said the initiative reflects coordinated efforts across sectors to address both infrastructure needs and learner welfare.

“Hindi ito simpleng donasyon o simpleng feeding activity. Ito ay patunay na kapag nagsama-sama ang pamahalaan, lokal na pamahalaan, at pribadong sektor, mas mabilis nating naibibigay ang teknolohiya at nutrisyon na kailangan ng ating mga mag-aaral,” he said.

(This is not just a simple donation or feeding activity. This shows that when the national government, local government, and private sector work together, we can more quickly deliver the technology and nutrition that our learners need.)

At Malinta Elementary School, 737 learners are covered under the School-Based Feeding Program through a combination modality implemented in partnership with the Schools Division Office of Valenzuela and the city government. Of these beneficiaries, 473 receive hot meals prepared through a centralized kitchen operated by the local government, while 264 learners are provided Nutritious Food Products.

Across the Valenzuela division, 14,269 learners are covered under feeding programs, including beneficiaries of the Universal Kindergarten Feeding Program and severely wasted and wasted learners from Grades 2 to 6.

Angara also visited the school’s newly built computer laboratory and later toured the newly constructed annex facility of the Valenzuela Special Education Center, where he engaged with learners and teachers.

DepEd said the visit forms part of its broader efforts to strengthen digital infrastructure while addressing learner health and well-being, which the department considers foundational to building a more inclusive and future-ready basic education system. — Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News