The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday distributed hot meals to learners of Malinta Elementary School on Wednesday as part of the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP).

Education Secretary Sonny Angara also led the turnover of donated ICT equipment through DepEd’s partnership with the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) and its member companies.

The activity, joined by Valenzuela Mayor Wes Gatchalian, highlighted strong collaboration in delivering both learner nutrition and digital access to public schools.

Shearwater Health Advisors Inc., Ascendion Digital Solutions Philippines Inc., and Ernst & Young Global Services (Philippines), Inc. donated 378 ICT devices to DepEd, contributing to the 2,119 ICT units mobilized to date by the IBPAP to advance digital transformation in public schools.

Angara emphasized that education reforms require collective action across sectors.

At Malinta Elementary School alone, 737 learners benefit from the SBFP, implemented through a combination modality in partnership with the Schools Division Office of Valenzuela and the Valenzuela City local government. Of the total beneficiaries, 473 receive hot meals prepared through a centralized kitchen facility operated by the city, while 264 learners are provided Nutritious Food Products.

Division-wide, 14,269 learners are covered under the program, including those under the Universal Kindergarten Feeding Program and severely wasted and wasted learners from Grades 2 to 6.

Angara also visited the newly built computer laboratory at Malinta Elementary School and engaged with teachers and learners during the feeding activity.

The DepEd chief likewise visited the newly built annex facility of the Valenzuela Special Education Center, where he engaged with learners and teachers, reaffirming DepEd’s commitment to strengthening inclusive education and improving school infrastructure through strong local government support.