A public school in the Schools Division (SDO) of Balanga City in Bataan was commended by the Department of Education (DepEd) for highlighting the importance of “bayanihan” in its public assistance operations to address stakeholders’ concerns and issues related to the education sector.

Bataan National High School (BNHS) Head Teacher III Jonathan Baldeo explained that they initiated the school’s “Bayanihan Command Center” to cater to the queries and concerns of almost 5,000 learners from different parts of Bataan.

"Inisip po namin na siguro ang importante ay makapagtayo agad tayo ng Bayanihan Command Center. So, lahat ng information na tatanungin nila ay papasok lahat 'yon sa Bayanihan Command Center kahit na ano pang platform ang gamitin (We thought that maybe the important thing is that we can build the Bayanihan Command Center immediately. So, all the information they will ask for will go to the Bayanihan Command Center no matter what other platform is used),” Baldeo, who also serves as the Command Center Head.

Baldeo also shared that their school has secured a partnership with the local radio stations to expand its reach further.

They partnered with Power Radio 104.7 FM to reach learners from remote areas in the province, especially those in the uplands.

Through the said agreement, they launched the “BALIK ESKWELA” and “EDUK-Aksyon sa Power Radio 104.7” during the pandemic to provide information to the learners and create a platform for discussion regarding the education sector.

"Nakita po namin noong nag-radyo na po kami, ang daming listeners. Umaabot po kami sa ilang viewers. Nagla-live rin po kami . Sa radyo po, ang dami naming nari-reach out na mga listener. Nakikita po namin doon na ang laki ng pakinabang po ng partnership with the radio stations (We saw when we went turned to the radio, there were a lot of listeners. We reached out to some viewers. We also went live . On the radio, we reached out to a lot of listeners. We saw the benefits of the partnership with the radio stations),” he added.

Meanwhile, SDO Balanga City Superintendent Ronnie S. Mallari, CESO V expressed appreciation to the BNHS’ “Bayanihan Command Center ng BNHS” for serving as a “bridge” to reach their students wherever they are in Bataan.

During his visit to SDO Balanga City, Public Affairs Service Director IV June Arvin Gudoy also commended the efforts of the school to strengthen the current communication programs at the grassroots level.

"When I saw the Command Center, I was really impressed to know that localized initiatives like this have been helping us along the way,” Gudoy said. “This is a great example of selfless public service to the education stakeholders,” he added.