BRIGADA Eskwela 2025 officially opened Tuesday morning, June 10, in Davao City with a tree-planting, clean-up, and repainting drive at Teofilo V. Fernandez Elementary and National High Schools, led by the Department of Education (DepEd) Davao City Division alongside various partners and stakeholders.
DepEd Davao City Schools Division Superintendent Reynante Solitario, in his address during the kick-off program, underscored this year’s theme, “Sama-sama para sa Bayang Bumabasa,” as a powerful call to action—not just to prepare school facilities but to build a nation where every child has the opportunity to learn, to read, and to thrive.
"As we prepare for the June 16 opening of classes, let us remember the significance of what we do today. Cleaning and preparing our schools and classrooms is not a mere task—it is an act of care, a symbol of our collective effort to provide learners with a safe, clean, and inspiring environment," Solitario said. "When our learners walk into well-prepared classrooms, they know they are valued. They know that their education matters."
But more than the physical readiness of schools, Solitario emphasized the need to strengthen foundational learning.
"But beyond clean walls and tidy classrooms, our greatest responsibility lies in nurturing minds and building foundational skills. Reading, literacy, and numeracy are not just academic goals—they are life skills. They are tools that unlock doors, break barriers, and shape futures," he said. "We must work together to ensure that no learner is left behind—especially in learning how to read, compute, and comprehend."
Solitario proudly shared that Davao City posted a literacy rate of 93.5 percent in 2024, the highest across the entire Davao Region—a milestone he attributed to the community’s relentless pursuit of quality education.
"This remarkable achievement is a reflection of your hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to quality education. But let this not be our finish line—let it be our inspiration to keep going, to reach more learners, and to raise that number even higher," he said.
He also highlighted the significant support Brigada Eskwela continues to receive from stakeholders. In 2024, Php 123.5 million worth of resources were generated for the initiative, with 4,464 volunteers lending their time and effort to school preparations.
“This is the power of bayanihan. This is the heart of a community that believes in education,” he said.
Solitario expressed gratitude to teachers, parents, local government units, private partners, NGOs, alumni, learners, and volunteers: “You are proof that when a community comes together, no goal is too big, and no dream is beyond reach.”
DepEd Davao City officials and their Brigada Eskwela partners formalized their collaboration with a ceremonial signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) and deeds of donation and acceptance. Donations in kind, such as paint, cement, cleaning materials, and school supplies, were also handed over to DepEd Davao City. They also signed a commitment wall
Among the dedicated volunteers is 65-year-old retired Lt. Col. Ricardo Galagar Damicog Jr., who told SunStar Davao he has participated in Brigada Eskwela since 1990. "Nasanayan na Ma'am, a way ma reinvigorate akong dugo, at my age. Mapakinabangan, makatabang ko sa community (It's become a habit, Ma'am, a way to re-energize my blood at my age. I can be useful, I can help the community). It's the spirit of volunteerism. Serve without pay, without allowance. True patriotism, love for country," he shared.
Damicog served in the Philippine Army for a decade and has been a reserve officer since retirement. MLSA