UPLB’s collaborative program with the Department of Education-Laguna, which aims to end
learning poverty, was recognized at the Kinang ng Aplaya awarding ceremony, which was
hosted by San Antonio Elementary School (ES) on April 11, 2025.

The award recognizes the program for its “commitment and genuine support and contributions
to San Antonio Elementary School, Bay Sub-Office, through its immense contribution to the
realization of its programs, projects, and activities.”

The DUNONG program, or Department of Education-Laguna and UPLB: Nurturing
Opportunities for the Next Generation Towards Ending Learning Poverty in the Philippines, aims
to reduce learning poverty in the country through reading remediation, nutrition intervention, and
teacher and parent training.

It is currently implemented in 12 pilot schools in Laguna, with long-term plans to expand to more
regions and towns in the future.

San Antonio ES is one of the DUNONG program’s pilot schools in Bay, Laguna.
The award was received by Rosario Bantayan, the DUNONG program coordinator, and Kathe
Lyn L. Tamisin from the UPLB Ugnayan ng Pahiungod. (Jessa Jael S. Arana)