Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Kiko Benitez joined the launching of the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela in the province Friday, Aug. 11, at Talisay Elementary School, with Talisay Mayor Neil Lizares, Board Member Andrew Montelibano, and other officials.
Underscoring this year's theme: "Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan," Benitez emphasized the need for Bayanihan in his keynote address: "We in EDCOM, and you in DepEd, cannot do this alone. Policymakers at national and local levels, teachers, parents, the business sector, and civil society, tanan kita kina nglan magbayanihan, magbinuligay para sa edukasyon sang aton nga mga kabataan."
Benitez, who is also the Commissioner of the Second Congressional Commission on Education, encouraged teachers to attend the upcoming EDCOM II consultations in Negros Occidental, which will be held on the 25th of August.
“This August 25, EDCOM II is due to visit Negros Occidental and have consultations in Bacolod. I hope all stakeholders and educators here attend, I believe it will be held in La Salle, on the 25th of August in a couple of weeks,” said Benitez.
Benitez reemphasized his call for Bayanihan within and amongst education stakeholders to overcome the challenges faced by the education sector.
“Through unity and collaboration we can overcome all and every obstacle indi lang antes eskwela ang Brigada. Ang aton pagbinuligay, ang aton pag-isa kag pag-updanay dapat ga-padayon hasta sang pag-graduate sang tagsa tagsa ka bata."
Brigada Eskwela is an annual event organized by the Department of Education, running from August 14 to August 19. It takes place a week before classes begin on August 29, aiming to gather volunteers and education stakeholders to clean and repair school facilities in preparation and support Basic Education for the upcoming academic year. (PR)