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2 March 2024, TAGUIG CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd) extended its gratitude to the Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) for citing the agency as one of the recipients of the Partner in Empowerment, Advocacy, and Commitment to Excellence (PEACE) Award during its 45th Founding Anniversary last February 29.

Vice President and Secretary of the Department of Education Sara Z. Duterte, in a message, emphasized that DepEd’s partnership with the Metrobank Foundation led to various opportunities and innovations to inspire the education sector.

The PEACE Award is presented every five years by the Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) to recognize partners that have collaborated impactfully in the mission of uplifting the lives of the most vulnerable and underserved sectors in Philippine society.

DepEd also acknowledged the Foundation, led by MBFI President Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, for being an active partner of the agency in its various activities for the celebration of the National Teachers’ Month.

MBFI also honors excellent educators, military, and police personnel through its Outstanding Filipinos Award. During the 2023 awards, Mr. Rex Sario of Balogo Elementary School in Bukidnon, Mr. June Elias Patalinghug of Catalunan Grande Elementary School in Davao City, and Mr. Edgar Durana of Don Jose Ynares Memorial National High School in Binangonan, Rizal were recognized in the basic education sector.

Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Atty. Michael Wesley T. Poa credited the Department’s teaching and non-teaching workforce when he received the award on behalf of the agency during the ceremony.

“This PEACE Award is a recognition of the men and women of DepEd who embody excellence in their profession and passion to serve our communities. More importantly, it is a recognition of the unrelenting dedication and efforts of our teachers to deliver quality education and contribute to realizing the MATATAG Agenda,” Usec. Poa said.

In the awarding ceremony, the Department is one of the five government agencies cited by MBFI, which also include the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), and the Philippine Postal Corporation.

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