ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Police Regional Office 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) has tasked at least 700 uniformed and non-uniformed personnel to join the “Brigada Eskwela” program of the Department of Education (DepEd).
This, as the week-long Brigada Eskwela or the National Schools Maintenance Week, kicked off across the country on Monday. The activity ends Saturday.
The Brigada Eskwela brings together all education stakeholders to participate and contribute their time, effort, and resources to prepare public school facilities for the opening of the new academic year in June.
Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Luis Licup, PRO-9 director, said Tuesday the participation of policemen in Brigada Eskwela activities across the region is part of the organization's contribution to community service in areas where they serve, aside from rendering security duties.
Licup said some of the policemen were tasked to repair and repaint classrooms; fix dilapidated desks, chairs, and tables; cut overgrown grasses; and clean the school premises, among others.
This year’s Brigada Eskwela, he said, is a challenge, mainly because of the mess left during last week’s mid-term elections in public schools that were used as polling precincts.
In this city, personnel of the Zamboanga City Police Office, headed by Col. Thomas Joseph Martir, joined the kick-off parade and program at about 7:30 a.m. Monday.
They then joined the cleanup during the Brigada Eskwela activity held at the Maria Clara Lobregat National High School in Barangay Divisoria.
This year’s Brigada Eskwela is anchored on the theme, “Matatag na Bayan Para sa Maunlad na Paaralan”.
Meanwhile, Licup said they have already designed plans and program for the deployment of policemen in all public schools to ensure a secure and orderly opening of classes in the region on June 3. (PNA)
