Brigada Eskwela draws 100k volunteers, stakeholders

Approximately 100,000 volunteers and stakeholders cooperated in the annual Brigada Eskwela of the public schools of DepEd Malabon City from May 30 to June 4, 2016.

All schools simultaneously kicked off the week-long activity with the theme, “Tayo Para sa Paaralang Ligtas, Maayos, at Handa Mula Kindergarten Hanggang Senior High School”.

The Division level kick-off was hosted by Malabon National High School on May 30th, and was attended by stakeholders from various sectors of society including the local government units. Officials who graced the occasion were City Vice Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, Councilor Ninong Dela Cruz (on behalf of City Mayor Antolin Oreta III), and Councilor Paolo Oreta.

One of the kick-off’s highlights was the ceremonial turn-over of cleaning and repair materials and disaster preparedness equipment from the Office of the City Mayor.  Habitat for Humanity also provided shirts for student-leaders.

Supervising Administrative Officer Ms. Marilou Cusi of DepEd NCR expressed her admiration of the culture of volunteerism amongst the thousands who flocked to the venue to participate in the Brigada. Dr. Imelda Caro, OIC Assistant Superintendent, also delivered an inspirational message.

Meanwhile, officials from the Division Office Proper, headed by Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Jenilyn Rose Corpuz, joined the Regional Kick-Off Ceremony at Parañaque National High School. All units of the Division Office also participated in the week-long Brigada Opisina, and implemented the 5S methodology (sort, sweep, segregate, standardize, and sustain).

In addition to the routine maintenance, repair, and beautification efforts, partners and stakeholders also engaged in disaster preparedness measures.  Attention was also given to forging partnerships for the implementation of the Senior High School Program beginning School Year 2016-2017.

Volunteers and donors included parents, teachers, learners, schools’ alumni organizations, local and national government agencies, religious groups, youth and non-government organizations, foundations, higher education institutions, and private corporations.

Meanwhile, GMA Kapuso Foundation, the socio-civic arm of GMA Network, donated school bags and supplies as part of their Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan Project, in coordination with Go Tong Foundation. The said bags were turned over to Kindergarten and Grade 1 learners of Panghulo ES, Panghulo ES I, and Longos ES on June 2. –hrb