Brigada Eskwela 2018 in Southern Mindanao to kick off on May 28

From left, Ronald S. Eliot, Regional PTA Head, Josefina B. Palaca, Ed.D., Chief of SGOD, and Mr. Anwar E. Maadel, MPA entertain the stakeholders’ inquiries and questions regarding DepEd XI programs. Ziyarah Manalo/CIO Tagum

TAGUM City--Volunteerism is an act of selflessness that requires an individual to sacrifice time, money, or resources for the benefit of others. This year, Brigada Eskwela is once again tapping on the good hearts of the Filipinos for “Pagkakaisa Para sa Handa, Ligtas, at Matatag na Paaralan Tungo sa Magandang Kinabukasan”.
Media practitioners and community stakeholders gathered at Big 8 Corporate Hotel on May 11, 2018, to discuss the future plans of the regional office. Mr. Anwar E. Maadel, MPA of DepEd XI presented the possible areas of partnership to the participants.

Partners can give Learner’s Kit, Emergency Kit, First Aid Kit, Health and Hygiene Kit, Teacher’s Kit, and Teacher’s Emergency Kit. He also clarified that there is NO FEE in joining the BE. Stakeholders can also help through giving inputs into curriculum and immersion program design, work immersion for students, use of facilities, training for teachers, and donations. Adopt-a-School and adopt-a-child schemes were introduced in the discussion as well.

The purpose of Brigada Eskwela is ultimately to secure the safety of our students and teachers. It will kick-off on May 28 and will conclude on June 2. “With you, we (DepEd) are strong”. Parents, NGAs, government organizations, public corporations, LGUs, and NGOs are encouraged to enjoin with DepEd in this endeavour.

He further explained the roles of the media and stakeholders by giving insights on RA 85 25 Act of 1988 regarding the tax incentives a partaker would receive by partnering with DepEd. There are set of qualifications for big project ventures with the agency such as infra and non-infra programs. Anwar boasted 150% tax incentives to urge businessmen to invest on DepEd programs.

Other inducements include tax incentives, emblazoned marker, and representation on local school board. For this BE project, volunteers are asked only minor help in repair and maintenance and other specified tasks which will be assigned by the coordinators.

In Tagum alone, DepEd XI produced numerous schools with good track records on the implementation of the Brigada Eskwela program. This is a reflection of the effectiveness of the program in uniting Tagumenyos in securing a safe learning environment for the students.

Ronald S. Eliot, the Regional PTA Head and Josefina B. Palaca, Ed.D., the chief of SGOD graced the event. Both promoted how discipline and proper management can yield optimum results intended for the beneficiaries. Councilor Eliot also endorsed to the participants the possibility to help the schools in Marawi which were devastated by war in the past year.

DepEd XI plans to have a second meeting with business owners and the Business Permit and Licensing Office of Tagum City to further spread the information regarding the agency’s programs. Ziyarah Manalo/CIO Tagum