TV5 joins Brigada Eskwela in Manila, DepEd pleased with turnout

By: InterAksyon.com
May 21, 2012 3:02 PM

InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines - News 5 on Monday joined the 2012 Brigada Eskwela Kickoff of the Department of Education at Justo Lukban Elementary School in Paco, Manila, in preparation for the school opening on June 4.

Led by News 5 Public Service Head Sherryl Yao, TV5 participated in the annual Brigada Eskwela together with Good Morning Club hosts Pat Fernandez and Lucky, and weather anchors Shawn Yao and Marga Vargas. News 5 Aksyon Center and Rescue 5 personnel participated in the school cleanup.

Volunteers washed and painted tables and chairs, swept and mopped floors.

Brigada Eskwela is a DepEd program meant to draw in private partners to complement the government’s limited resources and efforts to make schools ready for the opening of the new schoolyear.

Through Brigada, private business devotes resources while employees volunteer their services to make urgent repairs, clean up school premises, provide vital supplies---all meant to ensure schools are safe, clean and ready for class opening.

Brigada Eskwela launch

At Monday’s turnout for the yearly Brigada Eskwela, Education Secretary Armin Luistro was elated by the support of the stakeholders in making this year’s first Brigada day a success.

Among the government agencies and corporations that participated in the activity are the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Amspec, United States Aid for International Development, Chamber of Mines, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, News5, Globe Telecom, Kabisig ng Lahi, Petron Corporation, Philam Life, Philippine Business for Social Progress and the Philippine National Bank, among others.

In Maricaban Elementary School in Pasay City, the Ditus Sapienta Holdings Inc. (DSI), made an independent Brigada wherein they made repairs and maintenance in the school.

Simultaneous Brigada activities were also held nationwide.

Luistro said that more than the ceremonial activity, what is important in conducting the Brigada every year is the community involvement.

The DepEd is expecting some 1.73 million kindergarten and 14 million elementary pupils, as well as 5.76 million secondary students to troop to some 45, 000 public schools on June 4.

Another Brigada by TV5

TV5 will hold another Brigada Eskwela at San Bartolome Elementary School next week. Along with news reporters and cameramen, TV5 officials and employees will join in the activity.

News 5 will also conduct another back to school project, Oplan Sigla sa 'Skwela Year 3, in Isla Verde, Batangas on May 26. It aims to teach schoolchildren good hygiene practices in a fun and enjoyable way.

Oplan Sigla sa 'Skwela was recognized by the Philippine Quill Awards for excellence in Communication Management in Economic, Social and Environmental Division in 2010.