Brigada Eskwela starts today

CEBU, Philippines - As the yearly Brigada Eskwela starts today, Department of Education (DepEd) - 7 Director Carmelita Dulangon is calling out for more volunteers to help get public elementary and high schools ready for classes on June 3.

“We’re encouraging everyone, including the parents, students, stakeholders, youth organizations, barangay and city officials, and those from the private sector to help us in cleaning and repairing our schools, especially that they were heavily used during last Monday’s elections,” Dulangon said in a phone interview yesterday.

The 19 divisions in Central Visayas will hold caravans to encourage the public to help in the week-long activity, she said, with DepEd Assistant Secretary Rey Laguda going to Siquijor to join the Brigada.

But aside from caravans, Dulangon pointed out that each division has prepared a set of daily activities so that volunteers, particularly parents, can provide specialized or technical help based on the type of work they are interested in.

“Katong mga maayo sa elektrisidad mahimong mag-ayo sa mga electrical equipment nato, katong maayo sa pagpamanday pwede sab makatabang ug ayo sa mga lingkuranan or mga classrooms,” she said. (Carpenters can help us repair the chairs and classrooms while those capable of fixing our equipment can do so.)

The director added that government employees can also help in the week-long activity since they may leave their work for a few hours.

Furthermore, companies are also sending their own volunteers, while private organizations are also encouraged to give food donations for the participants, Dulangon said.

“Pwede sila makahatag ug pagkaon, or mga sud-an nga pwede saw-an sa mga nagtrabaho,” she stressed. (Others can also opt to give food for the workers.)

Dulangon also said that those who were not able to enroll early can still enlist during the Brigada Eskwela, as the coming school year also sees the second batch under the new K-to-12 curriculum.

“They can drop by anytime at the schools while doing their volunteer work so they can enlist themselves or their children,” she said.

The Brigada Eskwela will run today until Friday, May 24. Volunteers need not work all day, but lending a few hours for work is very much appreciated, Dulangon said.

Meanwhile, she also expressed her thanks to all the teachers in Central Visayas who served in the elections last Monday.

“Dako jud akong pasalamat to all the teachers who served as members of the board of election inspectors (BEI), kay dako ilang gisakripisyo aron maka-attain ta’g peaceful ug honest nga elections,” Dulangon said, adding that she is also thankful to God that no teacher’s safety was jeopardized during the polls.

She added that the BEI’s can now get their honorariums through their bank accounts. 

Dulangon noted that BEI’s from Siquijor already received their pay Thursday last week.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Police Office will help DepEd in its Brigada Eskwela with the reactivation of its Oplan Balik Eskwela today.

Chief Insp. Enrique Belciña, chief of CCPO’s Police Community Relations (PCR) Branch, said they will extend help to DepEd in preparing classrooms in all public schools before the opening of classes this June.

Other than that, Belciña said they will perform their primary tasks and that is to secure the students during the opening of classes.

“In so doing, the PNP reactivated its Oplan Balik Eskwela 2013, which ensures the operational readiness of police units in responding to peace and order concerns, including threats from criminal elements who may take advantage of the situation,” Belciña assured.

The Philippine National Police, he said, will coordinate with DepEd and the Commission on Higher Education, other government and non-government agencies like the Land Transportation Office, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Media in mobilizing its resources to maintain peace and order come June.

“As classes start, the PNP ensures that students have access to a safe environment conducive to learning, not only during the opening of classes but throughout the school year,” the PCR chief further said.

Among the intervention activities of the CCPO will include publishing flyers and primers on basic crime prevention tips and measures to be distributed to all schools; providing handbook on public safety containing tips on disaster preparedness and survival; and help in repairing and painting classrooms, among others. – (FREEMAN)