Military says 'Brigada Eskuwela' getting more support

MANILA, Philippines - Private groups have vowed to support the annual Brigada Eskwela, a program that seeks to prepare schools for the opening of classes, a military official said Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, chief of the 7th Civil Relations Group, said the military has linked several non-government organizations (NGOs) to the Department of Education through its engagement programs.

“We are very happy to announce that the government is getting more support from various partners in this noble mission of preparing the public school facilities prior to the class opening in June,” Cabunoc said in a statement. 

“Through the AFP’s (Armed Forces of the Philippines) stakeholders engagement programs, we are able to bridge the NGOs to the lead agency, the Education department,” he added.

Among the groups that expressed readiness to join the Brigada Eskwela program were the Talima Foundation, Smart Communications, and the Rotary Club of Rotary Club of Makati-Pasong Tamo.

“It is heartwarming to help and give something back to the community,” Dulce Gamboa, president of the Talima Foundation, said in a statement released by the military.

“To support the Brigada Eskwela, My fellow Rotarians and I will leave our respective offices to give back to our communities,” said Carlo Carpio, the past president of the Rotary Club of Makati-Pasong Tamo.

Wo Rosete, public affairs officer of Smart Communications, said their involvement in the program is part of their advocacy to engage communities and help solve common problems.

Brigada Eskwela seeks to make schools presentable and adequately prepared to accept thousands of students who will flock to school next month.

Military units and reservists are expected to participate in the activity.

The focus of this year’s Brigada Eskwela include the improvement of toilets and wash facilities and the refurbishing of worn-out arm chairs and tables.

The AFP Joint Task Force National Capital Region is mobilizing up to a thousand active duty soldiers and reservists for the five-day maintenance and repair activities for public schools in Metro Manila.

Among the units that will take part in the program are the Army’s Civil-Military Operations Battalion, the Navy’s Civil-Military Operations Group, the Civil Military Affairs Brigade of the AFP Reserve Command, the National Capital Region Regional Community Defense Group, and the 7th Civil Relations Group.