Metro Manila cops, PDEA join ‘Brigada Eskwela 2019’

MANILA — Metro Manila police personnel will participate in this year’s “Brigada Eskwela” by helping clean classrooms and doing carpentry work, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief, Major Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, said Sunday.

“I already ordered the five district directors na mag-ikot sa mgaschools in Metro Manila at tumulong maglinis as well to provide security. Ako din mag-iikot sa mga schools startingtomorrow (I already ordered the five district directors to make the rounds of schools in Metro Manila and help clean them up, as well as provide security. I will also visit schools starting Monday),” Eleazar said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

He said the NCRPO will also provide cleaning and painting materials for the Brigada Eskwela, a week-long activity of the Department of Education that brings together teachers, parents, and other members of the community to work together to prepare classrooms and other facilities of public schools in time for the opening of classes in June.

Eleazar further said police operatives will go on heightened alert status as part of security preparations for the reopening of schools and universities across Metro Manila on June 3.

He said he has ordered full police visibility on the streets , as well as the setting up of police assistance desks (PADs) in various schools and universities.

“I would like to rally everyone to close in on the vicinities of these schools. We have to secure all our pupils and students from criminals, such as pickpockets and snatchers,” Eleazar said.

He said police marshals will be deployed to secure passengers of buses, UV Express, taxicabs, and jeepneys.

“We will be everywhere, especially our police detectives who would secure students and other commuters inside buses, and passenger jeepneys,” Eleazar said.

“All police personnel assigned in PADs should coordinate with the Department of Education school authorities and local government officials,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will join the Brigada Eskwela for the first time.

PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino, in a memorandum, directed all PDEA regional offices to actively participate in the initiative, and help ensure its effective implementation in selected public elementary and secondary schools in their respective areas.

“PDEA agents and personnel are more than ready to extend assistance in cleaning up classrooms and school grounds, and the repair and repainting of walls, ceilings, chairs, tables and other fixtures, in preparation for a safe, clean, and conducive learning environment for incoming students,” Aquino said in a statement.

He said PDEA has allocated PHP5,000 for each of the agency’s 17 regional offices for the purchase of cleaning and beautification materials to be used during the program.

“In keeping with the Filipino spirit of bayanihan, PDEA volunteers its effort, time and resources to participate in the country’s quest to foster safe, healthy learning environment for today’s students and become tomorrow’s productive citizens,” the PDEA chief said.