The local governments of Malabon, Caloocan, Pasig and Quezon Cities launched their respective “Brigada Eskwela (BE)” activities in different public schools on Friday, Aug. 11, and Monday, Aug. 14, to prepare the facilities for the new academic year, which will start on Aug. 29.
The BE, themed “Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan,” is a nationwide activity initiated by the Department of Education (DepEd). It aims to encourage “bayanihan” among people in creating conducive learning environments for the youth.
Through the initiative, local governments, volunteers, civil society organizations (CSOs) and the private sector will work together until Aug. 19 to furnish, clean, redecorate, and maintain school classrooms, facilities, and campuses.
It also involves declogging canals within and near the schools, landscaping, gardening, repainting classrooms, restroom repairs, garbage collection, installing bulletins and other materials, as well as fixing handwashing facilities and drinking fountains.
MALABON CITY
As part of the ongoing preparations for the school's reopening, Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval joined the Brigada Eskwela kick-off program on Friday, Aug. 11, at Malabon Elementary School.
Malabon City Vice Mayor Ninong Dela Cruz, city councilors, Bureau of Jail and Management Penology (BJMP) and Malabon City Police Station (MCPS) personnel were also present during the event to show their support for "Brigada Eskwela 2023”
They helped in repainting walls and chairs, clean the school premises, and repair damages in different facilities.
Sandoval encouraged the city resident to donate cleaning tools like brooms, rags, and scrubbers -- if they have in their homes, and to volunteer in cleaning the public schools near their areas.
The mayor also participated in the "Tara Basa Program" that was implemented at Malabon Elementary School on Monday, Aug. 14.
Led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the City of Malabon University Volunteers, the program aims to teach the students how to read so that they will be prepared to showcase their skills in class.
Mayor Jeannie stated that through unity, collective action and cooperation, the city government and residents are strengthening the foundation of the schools to become resilient, meaningful and supportive in shaping students towards a brighter future.
She also encouraged all of student, teachers, and parents to be more patient, diligent, and caring towards one another, and to continue to help one another not just during the “Brigada Eskwela” activity but throughout the entire year.
CALOOCAN CITY
Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan graced the Brigada Eskwela 2023 activities in several schools in the city on Monday.
He visited the Tala High School, Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Camarin D. Elementary Schools where the teachers, parents and students clean and repair the classrooms and other facilities such as gardens and school quadrangle.
They also repainted the walls of the classrooms.
Meanwhile, parents, students and teachers from Antonio Luna Elementary School-North Caloocan, Sto. Niño Elementary School, Kalayaan National High School, North Caloocan Elementary School, Caloocan Science High School and Baesa High School held parades before the Brigada Eskwela program started.
Officials and members of Caloocan City government departments such as Public Safety and Traffic Management (PSTMD), Barangay Secretariats, City Social Welfare and Development Department (CWDD), and Human Resource Development and Management Office (HRDMO) also participated in cleaning the schools.
Malapitan thanked the volunteers who annually help in the activities. He affirmed the city government’s commitment to prioritize the education of his constituents, which also includes the regular improvement of school facilities.
Malapitan said that the other employees of the city government will also participate in the BE at other schools in the city.
The mayor also urged the people to revive the spirit of cooperation in the community for the students, saying that the time the participants dedicate for BE is also an investment in the future of the youth.
QUEZON CITY
The DepEd Quezon City-Schools Division Office (DepEd QC-SDO) led the Brigada Eskwela kick-off ceremony in the city at the Commonwealth Elementary School, on Friday, Aug 11.
Several schools such as Maligaya Elementary School, Pasong Tamo Elementary School, San Antonio Elementary School, Bagong Silangan Elementary School, San Agustin Elementary School, New Era High School, San Francisco High School, Nagkaisang Nayon Elementary School, and Damong Maliit Elementary School also launched their own BE programs on Monday.
Meanwhile, Quezon City High School received donated high quality-trash bins and a collection of high school books from the Philippine Public School Teachers Association (PPSTA) for this year's BE.
According to (PPSTA), the contribution to the school not only promotes a clean and organized school environment but also enriches the educational resources available for students at the school.
Personnel of Novaliches Police Station also joined the BE in several schools.
Students, parents, and teachers also participated in the Brigada in different schools in the city.
PASIG
Meanwhile, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Vice Mayor Robert “Dodot” Jaworski Jr., and members of the City Council graced the launch of the BE at Kapitolyo High School in Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig City.
During the ceremony, Sotto announced that the Local School Board (LSB) approved a P15-million budget for the repair works and supplies prior to the resumption of classes in the city’s public schools.
However, this excludes the budget for other major renovations, including upgrading of electrical units in public schools, construction of additional or new infrastructure and other works.
The mayor added that the LSB also approved the creation of new job order positions, as part of the Special Education Fund, to increase the human resource capacity of the Schools Division Office (SDO), especially during the opening season.
He also mentioned that many improvements have been seen in terms of education in the city and across the country such as the simplification of the curriculum from Kinder to Grade 2 or 3.
The city officials were joined by Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) officers, SDO and school officials, barangay officers, and private stakeholders.
They each signed the Pledge of Commitment to support the BE initiative during the launch.
Sotto and Vice Mayor Jaworski lauded the thriving spirit of volunteerism and “bayanihan” in Pasiguenos to improve schools.
“Para maging mas maayos, mas maganda ang ating mga paaralan at pamayanan, kailangan po nagtutulungan tayo, multi-sectoral approach for all stakeholders (In order to make our schools and community more organized and more beautiful, we need to help each other, a multi-sectoral approach for all stakeholders),” Sotto said.
Other schools in the city’s 30 barangays have also held their own programs for the BE, including Bambang Elementary School, Santolan Elementary School, Pasig Elementary School, Buting Elementary School, Pasig City Science High School, and Dr. Sixto Antonio Elementary School