MANILA, Philippines – Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Thursday took pride in the latest achievement of the local government which was awarded, for the second straight year, the prestigious Seal of Good Education Governance (SGEG) from the Synergeia Foundation. “Our second Seal of Good Education Governance is a reflection of the efforts of our stakeholders, partners, and QCitizens who have made sure that our education programs truly reach every child in the city,” Belmonte said. The award is given to local government units that demonstrate exceptional leadership and innovation in improving basic education that result in greater student retention and a decrease in non-readers, according to the foundation. The city’s Public Affairs and Information Service Department (PAISD) said the foundation was a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of basic education through community empowerment and local governance reform. It recognized the city government’s sustained efforts to strengthen support for learners through various education programs, improved learning facilities, and policies that promote accessible high-quality education, PAISD said. Belmonte reiterated that the back-to-back SGEG highlights the local government’s effective management of its many education initiatives. “Education remains one of our top priorities because educating our children means building a stronger Quezon City,” she told The Manila Times. Since 2019, the city government has exemplified transformative efforts in the education sector, including inclusive policies, enhanced transparency, and strong collaboration with various stakeholders such as teachers, parents, and civil society organizations. "The Quezon City Council remains committed to crafting and updating policies that respond to the real needs of our learners," said majority leader Councilor Aly Medalla. Belmonte, together with Medalla, Schools Division Superintendent Carleen Sedilla, and acting Education Affairs Unit head Maricris Veloso, accepted the award during the 2026 Washington Sycip National Education Summit. “The second consecutive conferment proves that Quezon City is a leading city in terms of education governance,” the city chief executive declared.