GUIDED by its core values of service, teamwork and responsibility, close to 870 employee-volunteers of City Savings Bank Inc. (CitySavings) helped in preparing better learning spaces for 230 public schools nationwide by participating in the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Brigada Eskwela on May 20-25, 2019.
The bank’s employee-volunteers, along with DepEd officials, teachers, parents and other members of the community, cleaned, repaired and repainted school facilities before the classes start in June.
During the national kickoff ceremony last May 16 at Alfonso Central School in Cavite Province, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said the bayanihan spirit is evident during Brigada Eskwela.
In a message read on her behalf, she said: “Today is one of those many occasions when Filipinos gather and prove that quality education is a top priority for our nation. Our countrymen from all walks of life volunteer their time, energy and resources to ensure that the youth will have a clean, safe and conducive learning environment come the first day of class.”
For his part, Undersecretary Tonisito Umali reiterated the importance of quality education.
“Let us internalize the relevance of this event. In order to promote quality education, our schools have to be conducive for teaching and learning,” he said.
Umali heads the DepEd’s legislative affairs, external partnerships and project management services
CitySavings helped 55 beneficiary public schools in Western, Central and Eastern Visayas.
Rubelyn Mangilaya, the principal of Inayawan National High School in Cebu City, said Brigada Eskwela addresses a pressing problem in her school—the dropout students.
“Last school year, we had a huge dropout rate of seven percent,” she said.
Mangilaya attributed the problem to family-related issues.
“We want to change that by keeping our students in school. We are thankful to the Brigada Eskwela, the volunteers and stakeholders for helping us to attain a clean and orderly place to motivate our students to finish their schooling. A better learning space leads to a better learning experience,” she said.
For her part, CitySavings’ reputation management head Paula Ruelan said the bank is inspired by the Brigada Eskwela’s theme “Matatag na Bayan para sa Maunlad na Paaralan (Strong Nation for a Progressive School).”
“We at CitySavings are grateful that we were able to serve our communities and contribute to nation-building. CitySavings will continue to advance business and communities to drive change for a better world,” Ruelan said. (S)