SLES commences Brigada Eskwela 2023 amidst heavy rainfall

Sta. Lucia Elementary School (SLES) kicked off the School-Based Brigada Eskwela 2023 on Monday morning, August 14, with volunteers who rushed to school amidst the heavy rainfall. Many volunteers waited and gathered at the gate to start the program in the spirit of Bayanihan. Unfavorable heavy rainfall didn’t spoil the event so the show went on.

This year’s theme, “Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan” optimistically aims to provide conducive, clean, and prepared classrooms for the students on the first day of classes. The school has been under renovation and restoration that is why this Brigada Eskwela is a challenge to the school and the entire community.

Many volunteers and stakeholders in the community, SLES alumni, barangay council, and parents were among the participants present.

Mr. Harry Bajo, PDO II, Project Development Officer – II, San Juan Division Office, was also one of the distinguished individuals who graced the activity to be more special. Together with Mr. Roy Dan R. Pido, the school OIC-Principal, Mr. Bajo roamed around the school after the program to check the school’s readiness, improvement, and development of the building itself.

Like the usual annual Brigada Eskwela campaign, all volunteers were provided with all the materials needed to use for the clean-up drive. From adequate cleaning materials, dust pans, rugs, brooms, and even painting brushes.

During the opening program, Mr. Pido, mentioned the importance of Brigada Eskwela not only for the school but for the students in general. He said, “This annual event brings stakeholders all of us together to prepare the school for the upcoming school year. Moreover, Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide school maintenance program and a week-long event where we all come as one in the spirit of volunteerism to clean, repair, do some maintenance work, and beautify our school.”

He also thanked all the stakeholders and volunteers for their participation. “Let me first welcome you all for coming around and thank you for helping the school to be ready on this coming first day of classes. Parents, barangay councils, the youth, and the alumni.” He added. (“Ako po ay taos pusong nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat na nandirito dumalo sa araw na ito. Mula sa mga magulang, sa barangay councils, mga kabataan at mga alumni ng paaralan ito.”)

Mrs. Ma. Cecilia T. Cajayon, Master Teacher – I, elaborated on the main function and the inner responsibility of every citizen for Bayanihan in preparing the school and giving the students a friendly, safe, and conducive opening of classes. She encouraged the other stakeholders, NGO’s, parents, and the youth to join the campaign by spreading the news in the community.

“Ang pamunuan po ng paaralan ay hinihimok ang lahat na makaisali sa ating brigada eskwela para sa paghahanda ng paaralan na mabigyan ng handa, maayos,at malinis na facilidad. Pagsabihan ang ating mga kakilala lalo na ang mga kabataan,” she declared.

Even the Vice-President and the concurrent Department of Education Secretary, Sara Zimmerman Duterte, accentuated the impact and the spirit of Bayanihan during her interview with the media on August 7, 2023.

Her two objectives during the Brigada Eskwela were first, an appeal to the Filipinos to help the school to prepare for the opening of classes and second, to make all public schools functional, clean, and orderly inside and outside the classrooms.

“Brigada Eskwela or Schools Maintenance Week is an appeal to the Bayanihan spirit of every Filipino to help prepare our schools for the opening of classes. Yung ayaw pong tumulong, wag ng piilitin,” VP Duterte added in her interview.

The Sta. Lucia Elementary School's teaching and non-teaching staff sincerely encouraged the community for their wide participation in maintenance, cleaning, and repairing of the school as the school year is about to commence.

Article Written by:

Leonard A. Tutor

Teacher II - Sta. Lucia Elementart School