“Brigada Eskwela” comes alive in Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu cities

CEBU, Philippines - “Brigada Eskwela” got going yesterday in Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue cities.

Members of the Philippine Air Force and the Department of Education in Lapu-Lapu City started a cleanup drive yesterday in connection with the education department’s “Brigada Eskwela” campaign in preparation for the opening of classes on June 3.

A motorcade around the city, participated by all public elementary schools, marked the start of the campaign.

In the afternoon, the participants were in Olango Island.

PAF personnel worked hand in hand with Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base Elementary School students led by school principal Marilou Vallecera, cleaning the surroundings and trimming some trees.

The campaign will take five days with men from the PAF expected to also repaint classrooms and perform other chores.

On the other hand, the Lapu-Lapu City Police and City Traffic Management System will deploy men and enforcers to the different schools when classes start.

Lapu-Lapu City Police Office director P/SSupt. Rey Lyndon Lawas assured he will increase police visibility in areas near schools.

In Mandaue City, representatives from different sectors yesterday joined hands in preparing Subangdaku Elementary School, a national awardee, for the June 3 opening of classes.

Dubbed as “Brigada Eskwela”, representatives from the business sector, academe, parents, government, police, and religious sectors showed up during the opening of the week-long preparation which included, cleaning up surroundings, repair, repainting, and beautification of the classrooms.

The school received last year a plaque from the Department of Education for winning the national search for the best in “brigada eskwela 2012.”

“The parents and other stakeholders are very supportive of this project,” said city schools division superintendent Virginia Zapanta during the launching.

Fr. Rolyn Vics, C.M., parish priest of Subangdaku led a team from the parish to work in the school.

“I am an ardent advocate of cleanliness and I laud the barangay and city officials and the schools for the improvement in terms of proper garbage disposal,” said Vics.

Nicasio Cortes, coordinator of the project said aside from the usual preparations the focus in this year’s ‘brigada eskwela” is greening and beautification of the schools and vegetable gardens.

Last year’s 3,000 enrolment is expected to increase this year thus the need for more classrooms.

Among the barangay-based firms which committed to help include Gen. Milling Corp., Mandaue Trade Center, Cebu Doctor’s University, Green Bank, Mactan Rural Bank, Filoil Corp., MATIMCO, and Ginebra San Miguel.  (FREEMAN)