'Bantay Eskwela' expands in Region 11

MANILA, Philippines - Brigada Eskwela, a private sector-led effort to monitor the delivery of armchairs for public schools all over the country, is expanding its operations in Region 11 or Southern Mindanao.

The Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia and the Pacific, under the Ateneo School of Government, said it will coordinate with the Diaspora for Good Governance (D4G2) to “saturate” Region 11.

Susana Estigoy, regional director for the Department of Education Region 11, welcomed the effort and gave assurance on the region’s full support.

“I am strongly endorsing D4G2 as a partner of the schools divisions in promoting transparency in transactions,” Estigoy said.

The Bantay Eskwela project in Region 11 is expected to draw around 250 community volunteers and stakeholders from 185 schools in Davao City, Samal Island, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Compostela Valley.

The Bantay Eskwela initiative will highlight the importance and success of using school-based monitors in achieving value for money and transparency using a participatory approach by monitoring the procurement of school armchairs and also school buildings.

“The volunteer participation during the first run of Bantay Eskwela in 2009 was overwhelming” said Caroline Belisario, D4G2 project team leader and executive director.  

Bantay Eskwela, a brainchild of Procurement Watch Inc., empowers local stakeholders in monitoring the implementation of the procurement of school armchairs in seven pilot sites in Bulacan, Tagbilaran, Ilocos Norte, Quezon City, Rizal, and Davao City.

With its success, the Bantay Eskwela framework was adopted in monitoring the repair and rehabilitation of classrooms in the National Capital Region.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the project promotes transparency, accountability, and value for money in the delivery of basic education services.