“We should not limit ourselves to infrastructure concerns, let us also find ways to help the school populace,” said DPWH Region V Director Melvin B. Navarro.
Director Navarro, in his meeting with DPWH Region 5 officials directed the transfer without cost to public schools during the nationwide conduct of “Brigada Eskwela 2015”, computers that were earlier returned to Supply and Property Management Section of the regional office afte completing inventory and identifying those which are operational.
Brigada Eskwela is an annual event, wherein this year 2015, was scheduled on May 18 to 23, spearheaded by the Department of Education (DepEd) to prepare the learning environment for students in time for the opening of classes.
DPWH also donated various cleaning materials such as trash bins, cans of paints, glass jalousies, LED lights and also helped in the clean-up activities in Legazpi Port Elementary School, Pag-Asa National High School both in Legazpi City; and, in Daraga National High School in Daraga, Albay.
“Thank you, DPWH. Your efforts will go a long, long way to our students. These will inspire them, you have inspired them. Seeing you all here with us, giving importance to their well-being and development will surely fuel their drive to achieve success and be assets of our community,” said Ms. Marites C. Dineros, Principal II of Legazpi Port E/S during the opening program of the Brigada Eskwela in the said school.
Ms. Violeta J. Millete, Principal III of Daraga National High School was also thankful for the unwavering support of DPWH.
In Pag-Asa National High School, Mr. Jeremy A. Cruz, Secondary School Principal III was very appreciative for the contribution given by DPWH 5 to make their school safe and conducive to learning. He further acknowledged with gratitude the technical assistance given in the preparation of plans, designs and estimates for the school’s emergency exit and flood control system.
The three schools awarded Certificates of Appreciation to Regional Director Melvin B. Navarro in recognition and appreciation of DPWH Region V’s full cooperation and active involvement in their schools’ Maintenance Week via “Brigada Eskwela 2015”.
In related story, RD Navarro reported to DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson the completion of 6,980 classrooms region-wide as of April 30, 2015. This is out of 7,396 classrooms targeted for completion before the school opens this year. This is inclusive of projects from CY 2012 to 2014 covering various batches for Basic Educational Facilities Fund (BEFF), Regular School Building Program (RSBP), Pagcor Silid Aralan Project (SAP), Water Sanitation Facilities Program (WatSan) and Operation Barrio School Program in the total amount of P2.9 billion.
On top of the said allocation, P2.2 billion is expected to be released this current year for the construction of 1,575 classrooms for Senior High School (SHS) – Batch 1 for Bicol Region.