DepEd spends P67 million for repairs in region

CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Education spent P67.5 million for repairs of classrooms of public elementary and secondary schools in Central Visayas during the staging of the “Brigada Eskwela 2009” this week.   

The budget was part of the Guidelines on the Utilization and Liquidation of School-Based Repair and Maintenance Scheme (SBRMS) Fund for the next school year.

DepEd Secretary Lapus, who was in Cebu yesterday, said he was very happy with the outcome of “Brigada Eskwela.”

“Even better than last year, and with almost 100 percent cooperation from all 43,000 schools all over the country,” Lapus said

DepEd regional officials have also recognized the support of local government units for their annual program.

Local officials had earlier urged the local communities to help repair and beautify public schools before the start of classes.

During the “Brigada Eskwela” launching at Basak Elementary School in Mandaue City last Monday, Mayor Jonas Cortes emphasized the importance of education as “the best weapon to fight our perennial problem which is poverty.”

Cortes said in educating the children, “parents and teachers have equal responsibilities; hence, everyone has the same function in promoting education’.

Both Cortes and Toledo City Mayor Daydee Zambo have assured support for the DepEd program in their respective areas.

Launched in 2003, “Brigada Eskwela” is a program that calls for support from local communities to perform minor repairs and maintenance of public schools before the opening of classes.

It brings together parents, students, alumni, business sector, non-government organizations and government organizations under the spirit of voluntarism as they help prepare schools for the next school year. — Johanna T. Natavio/LPM (THE FREEMAN)