ACED honored with Quezon City SDO’s Gawad Kaagapay Exemplary Stakeholder award

After years of being recognized as a consistent and outstanding partner in public education, the Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED) was formally elevated as an Exemplary Stakeholder by the Quezon City Schools Division Office during the 6th Gawad Kaagapay Award Ceremony, held on 18 Dec. 2025, at the VS Hotel and Convention Center, Victoria Sports Tower, Quezon City.

The award was received by Mr Jhoel Loanzon, Feeding Program Supervisor, together with Feeding Program Coordinators Ms Ainah Hanna Dumagsa and Mr Nelson Janoras. Their presence symbolized the collective efforts of ACED staff, partner donors, school leaders, teachers, and volunteers whose shared commitment has made these programs possible.

In his acceptance message, Mr Loanzon expressed deep gratitude for the recognition and emphasized that the Exemplary Stakeholder Award affirms the power of collaboration between ACED and the Quezon City Schools Division Office. He shared ACED’s hope that the division will continue to be ACED’s committed kaagapay in implementing various programs for the welfare of Quezon City students, emphasizing that meaningful change is achieved when institutions walk together in the service of learners.

This year’s recognition marks a significant milestone for ACED, honoring not only its sustained contributions through the years but also the depth, impact, and excellence of its partnership in advancing the welfare and education of Quezon City’s public school learners.

The Gawad Kaagapay Awards is an annual initiative of the Quezon City Schools Division Office that recognizes outstanding partners and stakeholders who actively support public schools and contribute meaningfully to the delivery of quality, inclusive, and learner-centered education. Through this platform, the division celebrates collaboration, shared responsibility, and the collective efforts of institutions and individuals who help uplift the lives of learners and strengthen the public education system.

Since its establishment in 1997, ACED has worked closely with the Quezon City Schools Division Office, consistently supporting public schools through programs that respond to the evolving needs of learners, teachers, and school leaders. These initiatives include principal empowerment programs, teacher training and professional development, ophthalmology and dental missions, scholarships, and feeding programs, interventions that strengthen both academic outcomes and student wellbeing.

At the heart of ACED’s work is its Food Augmentation Program, which currently serves 1,615 undernourished and indigent learners from 14 public schools in Quezon City including 12 elementary schools and 2 public high schools. The program provides weekly food packs containing nutritious vegetables and root crops sourced directly from Luzon farmers, promoting healthy eating habits while supporting local agriculture. Food pack distribution began in July 2025 and is scheduled to conclude in March 2026. Through this initiative, many beneficiaries have shown significant improvements in health, with numerous learners attaining healthy body weight allowing them to attend school more regularly, participate actively in class, and engage in learning with greater focus and confidence.

As ACED is elevated to Exemplary status in the Gawad Kaagapay Awards, the organization remains steadfast in its mission to serve alongside schools and communities continuing its work of nurturing healthy, hopeful, and empowered learners across Quezon City.

To support the work of ACED, kindly email them at aced@ateneo.edu.