UPLB and the DUNONG program were recognized by the Department of Education Schools Division Office of Laguna (DepEd Laguna) at the 2024 Stakeholders’ Convergence and Appreciation Day on February 18, 2025, held at the Cultural Center of Laguna in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

UPLB received the (Sustained Partnership) Busilak Award “for partnering with [DepEd Laguna] in attaining quality education and providing [the] highest standard of service through the generous allocation of their resources and services for the benefit of the Division’s personnel, teachers and learners.”

DUNONG, UPLB’s collaborative program with DepEd Laguna, was also given the Busilak Award by the DepEd Bay sub-office. Bay is one of DUNONG’s partner municipalities where it has eight partner schools. DUNONG was launched in Laguna in 2024 in response to EDCOM II’s report on learning poverty.

Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr. received the awards on behalf of UPLB together with DUNONG Program Coordinator Rosario B. Bantayan and Ugnayan ng Pahinungod Director Jose Limbay Lahi O. Espaldon.

Chancellor Camacho was also invited as the keynote speaker of the program. In his message, he shared his experiences and observations on the state of basic education in the country and highlighted the need for collaboration to address decades-old issues in elevating the quality of education and making it accessible to all.

He emphasized the University’s continued commitment to supporting DepEd and its vision for basic education. “We will continue to support DepEd so the country and our children will have a better future,” he said.

At the end of the program, Chancellor Camacho represented UPLB in signing a Pledge of Commitment together with fellow stakeholders and partners of DepEd Laguna.UPLB has a long history of partnership with DepEd, including training teachers in teaching Science, Math, and English and developing a program in PhD in Development Studies to capacitate DepEd supervisors and senior administrators. (Jessa Jael S. Arana)