BALANGA CITY (PIA) — Parents, teachers, education officials, local government officials, and other stakeholders in Balanga City, Bataan, joined forces through Brigada Eskwela to prepare schools for the opening of classes, highlighting the Filipino spirit of bayanihan in support of quality education.
Anchored on the theme, “Bayanihan sa Paaralan: Nagkakaisa para sa Kaayusan at Kaalaman,” the program aligns with the education priorities of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to promote safe, inclusive, and quality learning environments for Filipino learners.
For parent-volunteer Elmer Baluyot, whose child is enrolled in the Senior High School Department of Bataan National High School (BNHS), participating in Brigada Eskwela is a meaningful way to contribute to his child’s education and future.
“Kung magtutulungan tayong lahat upang linisin at ayusin ang paaralang ito, masisiguro natin ang kaligtasan ng mga bata, magiging maayos ang kanilang pag-aaral, at magkakaroon sila ng mas magandang kinabukasan. Napakahalaga na ang bawat isa ay maging bahagi ng Brigada Eskwela,” he said.
Baluyot said volunteerism and community involvement help create an environment that encourages learners to stay in school and achieve their goals.
Teachers likewise welcomed the support from stakeholders, noting that it strengthens school-community collaboration and contributes to a more conducive learning environment.
BNHS Senior High School Teacher Ellen Baluyot said Brigada Eskwela demonstrates how government support directly benefits both educators and learners.
“Masaya kami na masabi na nararamdaman namin ang tulong ng pamahalaan dito sa aming paaralan. Nakikita namin ang kanilang suporta pagdating sa mga programa ng paaralan, maging sa mga scholarship para sa mga estudyante at guro, mga laptop at gadget na kailangan namin, at iba pang tulong na kinakailangan para sa kapakinabangan ng aming mga mag-aaral,” she said.
The annual initiative officially kicked off on June 1 at BNHS, where education stakeholders signed a pledge of commitment signifying their support for Brigada Eskwela and their role in ensuring school readiness for the incoming academic year.
Schools Division Superintendent Roland Fronda of the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Office of Balanga City emphasized that Brigada Eskwela remains a concrete expression of the Filipino culture of cooperation and concern for learners.
“Ang Brigada Eskwela ay bayanihan. Ang Brigada Eskwela ay isang kultura nating mga Pilipino kung saan ang bawat isa ay may pakialam, ang bawat isa ay may malasakit, at ang bawat isa ay may pagmamahal sa bawat batang nag-aaral sa mga pampublikong paaralan,” he said.
Fronda added that sustained collaboration among stakeholders contributes to school preparedness and supports the overall well-being and development of learners.
Meanwhile, BNHS Junior High School Principal Vilma Fernando underscored the importance of ongoing community support for learners.
“Sa pamamagitan ng sama-samang suporta, ng pagde-devote ng oras, panahon, resources, at serbisyo, siyempre, dito natin napapatunayan na tama nga na it takes a village to educate our children,” she said.
Brigada Eskwela is conducted from June 1 to 5, 2026, in accordance with DepEd Memorandum No. 027, s. 2026. (By Rick P. Quiambao)
