PANABO CITY, Davao del Norte (PIA) – The Brigada Eskwela 2011 in Panabo City gathered the city’s beauty pageant winners and multi-sectoral volunteers from the government, religious, and civic sectors.

The week-long Brigada Eskwela in this city was initiated as schools under the Department of Education (DepEd)-Panabo City Schools Division geared for the opening of School Year (SY) 2011-2012, where it brought together teachers, parents and community members.

But on its fourth day, winning contestants in the Ms. Panabo 2011 Beauty Pageant took part in the Brigada Eskwela and volunteered their services at the Glecerio L. Dondoy Elementary School in Barangay Cagangohan.

Expected to accommodate the expected 1,000 pupils entering Grades 1 to 6, the Glecerio L. Dondoy Elementary School has about 30 classrooms.

Ms. Panabo 2011 Pauline Funa, Ms. Tourism Natasha Mei Artocilla, Ms. Charity Ana Marie Cellacay, and 1st Runner-Up Laydan Esguerra graced the event as part of their community immersion.

“Personally, my priority as Ms. Panabo 2011 is literacy and education of the youth. One way of advocating education is by joining the Brigada Eskwela,” Funa said, as she explained that by repainting, renovating, and repairing the schools, pupils and students would be enticed and encouraged to enroll and feel excited about the school opening.

Aside from conducting volunteer work in the Brigada, the Ms. Panabo winners will also be taking part in the “Pakwela sa Eskwela” program.

A project of the city government here in partnership with DepEd, and the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), the Pakwela sa Eskwela will distribute in early June, basic school supplies to the incoming Grade 1 pupils in various elementary schools in far-flung villages of the city.

Meanwhile, members of Panabo City RECON (Radio Emergency Communications Operation Network) Enterprise, Inc., founded by Dennis Devilleres, also volunteered to repaint the school fences, where they also donated painting materials.

“We are taking part in this activity to help the students and parents. This is in line with our civic action programs of our radio communication group,” said base manager Aladdin Destura, as he also bared plans of the Panabo City RECON to annually take part in the Brigada Eskwela.

As this developed, G. L. Dondoy Central Elementary School Principal Paterna Cañeda was grateful of the well participated Brigada Eskwela as she explained the benefits of holding such event.

“This will really help our school increase enrollment. The classrooms will be ready during the opening of classes, and students and teachers won’t have to worry about the general cleaning and repairing chores,” she said.

She also thanked the parents, local villagers, the Panabo City RECON, Ms. Panabo beauty pageant winners, and the religious sector in the village for helping the school administration disseminate information on, and generate cooperation for the Brigada Eskwela.

Other participants to the Brigada Eskwela in Barangay Cagangohan were the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries, parents of the Mariphil Foundation Scholars, Seventh Day Adventist of Cagangohan church members, village officials, school staff and teachers, together with their family-members.

The Brigada Eskwela is officially named as DepEd National Schools Maintenance Week that started in 2003, bringing together teachers, parents, and community members every 3rd or 4th week of May to work together in repairing and preparing public school facilities for the school opening.

In the spirit of bayanihan, private individuals, and institutions together with the local government units are encouraged to contribute to generate resources and take time to do minor repairs, repainting, and cleaning of school campuses.