Brigada Eskwela kicks off today

• Source: https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/bottom-article-list/2018/05/28/1819394/brigada-eskwela-kicks-today
• Monday, May 28, 2018 12:00 am

By Mae Clydyl L. Avila (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — With just a few days before the opening of classes, various stakeholders will troop to schools starting today for the weeklong cleanup and repair of school buildings and classrooms.

Dubbed as the "Brigada Eskwela" or also known as National Schools Maintenance Week (NSMW), the annual week-long activity aims to cleanup classrooms and beautify the other premises of the school to provide students with a conducive learning environment.

Superintendent Reyman Tolentin, Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) spokesperson, said security measures are already in place for the Brigada Eskwela.

He said groups of police personnel will be deployed in different public schools in Metro Cebu to ensure the safety of students, teachers, parents, and volunteers who will take part in the activity.

"We will implement high police visibility in schools," he said.

He said they are also expecting for a peaceful and orderly Brigada Eskwela.

Aside from security, Tolentin said other policemen will also be fielded to help in the school cleanup.

"I can say dako nga tabang ang kapulisan ani. Dapat conducive gyud ang matag classrooms for learning, because ang mga bata mas dali magkasakit kaysa sa mga dagko," he said.

Moreover, Chief Superintendent Robert Quenery, PRO-7 director, said the police force is coordinating with the Department of Education for the upcoming opening of classes.

"It's our partner agency, kung anuman programa nila at kung saan kami makakatulong ay ibibigay namin ang aming serbisyo. Ang ating kapulisan ay katuwang ng mga magulang sa paglilinis ng mga schools at pagbibigay ng school supplies sa mga nangangailangang studyante," he said.

He said assistance desks will be put up in school premises while police visibility will be increased around the city as part of the Oplan Balik Eskwela campaign of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

On the other hand, Quenery said PRO-7 is eyeing to intensify its anti-illegal drug programs in schools to further educate students on the ill effects of drugs.

"Drugs really is a kind of business that employs whatever employees na makukuha nila…Ipagpapatuloy at ipag-iibayo natin ang programa kontra droga lalong-lalo na sa Central Visayas which is still affected by drugs," he said.