GMA News reporter Claire Delfin was honored recently at the the 2010 SEAMEO-Australia Press Award from the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) for the article she wrote called Palengskwela: Bringing the school to the market.

Published on GMA News Online, the article about the Department of Education project, which aims to help children and adults who work at the market, bested other entries from the region. Delfin’s piece was partly based on the report by Segment Producer Sophia Balod and Researcher Natanya Nono, which first aired on News on Q.

Delfin, who thanked Balod and Nono during the award ceremonies held in Jerudong , Brunei Darussalam, said,”Education is a potent force in fighting poverty. And I hope we all come together so that education will be accessible to all, especially the marginalized and the disadvantaged.”

The SEAMEO Council President and Minister of Education, Brunei Darussalam, Pehin Abu Bakar Apong presented the plaques of recognition. Officials from Brunei and from other Southeast Asian countries were also in attendance.

According to its website, the SEAMO, was established in 1965 “as a chartered international organization whose purpose is to promote cooperation in education, science and culture in the Southeast Asian region.” The organization gives “recognition to outstanding accomplishments and work on education issues through journalism, research and music.”

The award includes the opportunity for Delfin to travel to Melbourne, Australia this year for a three-week study visit and internship at the Melbourne Age Newspaper.