LAS PIÑAS CITY, May 20, 2019 – The Department of Education-National Capital Region (DepEd-NCR) formally kicked off this year’s Brigada Eskwela at Las Piñas Elementary School Central (LPESC) on May 20.

A caravan participated by community members, partners, and stakeholders signaled the start of the activity with the theme, “Matatag na Bayan para sa Maunlad na Paaralan.”

Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships, and Project Management Service Tonisito Umali, Esq. underscored that Brigada Eskwela is not just a week-long activity but also a year-round movement.

“Ang konsepto ng pagbri-Brigada, hindi dapat nagsisimula isang linggo bago ang unang araw ng pasukan at matatapos makaraan ang limang araw ng paglilinis. Ito ay dapat araw-araw, linggo-linggo, buwan-buwan, buong taon dapat nangyayari,” Umali shared.

Meanwhile, DepEd NCR Director Wilfredo Cabral underscored the value of preparedness throughout the school year, and what Brigada Eskwela can do for a school: “Kailangan natin na gawin ito buong taon para ang ating tugon sa lahat ng magiging problema sa taong panuruan ay mayroon kaagad na kasagutan.”

School safety, WASH facilities
Umali further reminded everyone the importance of school safety and preparedness as indicated in DepEd Memorandum No. 36, series 2019 entitled, “2019 Brigada Eskwela Implementing Guidelines.” He also emphasized on water, hygiene, and sanitation (WASH) facilities.

“We want to make sure that our children our schools will have, number one, access to safe water. Number two, to have a functional toilet and number three, bahagi ng ating adbokasiya, for them to have proper hygiene habits,” the Undersecretary added.

Umali also enumerated the various concerns on school safety and readiness which shall be addressed during Brigada Eskwela, including cables and wirings, drainage, fire extinguishers, flashlights, evacuation plans, first aid kits, emergency contact numbers, signage, especially in areas with ongoing construction, among others.

In closing, Umali thanked everyone, especially the partners and stakeholders, for their remarkable contributions in the education sector through Brigada Eskwela.

“Tandaan po natin, ang mga bagay na akala natin ay hindi natin kayang gawin, hindi natin kayang abutin, akala natin imposible. Ngayon, walang kaduda-duda, kayang-kaya nating gawin… Pinakamamahal ko pong mga kasamahan sa DepEd, huwag tayong mag-sawang mangarap.”

Also present in the event were DepEd Planning Service Director Roger Masapol, local government officials, and officials and teachers from NCR.

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