PASIG CITY – Recognizing the important role of stakeholders in achieving the goals of basic education sector, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones called on everyone to work with the government in rebuilding the city of Marawi.
In her speech during the recent Stakeholders Forum held at the DepEd Central Office, Secretary Briones expressed her appreciation of partners from the private sector, especially those who attended the occasion.
“I am happy that we are working together, so somehow the objectives of education and your own specialized objectives can somehow meet and achieve the goals which we have set for ourselves,” the Education chief relayed with enthusiasm.
Brigada Eskwela sa Marawi
Reiterating the ongoing developments in Marawi, with the military taking over and residents hoping to return to their homes, Secretary Briones announced DepEd’s plan to conduct Brigada Eskwela for Marawi only.
Dubbed Brigada Eskwela sa Marawi, the event will be a joint effort between all DepEd Offices nationwide, with Regional Offices in Mindanao providing manpower, and Visayas and Luzon Regional Offices providing resources.
“This Brigada will be a sort of bayanihan effort on a national scale. Moving forward, we hope to implement the same support system should incidents and calamities like this happen,” Undersecretary Alain Del B. Pascua, focal person for Brigada sa Marawi, pointed out.
The Education chief further invited all those who previously joined Brigada Eskwela, especially stakeholders from the private sector, to join Brigada sa Marawi to be held in November and led by DepEd officials.
“I know that you will be very interested because this is everybody’s concern. Marawi is going to be a very special event for us the moment we are allowed to go back. I hope you will all go, and definitely, I am going,” the Secretary added.
There are 69 schools in the war-torn city of Marawi, 22 of which have been totally destroyed and damaged.
“The Department is one of the most devastated agencies when it comes to calamities and we have estimated about P2 billion calamity-related expenditures,” the Secretary said.
The DepEd also conducted psychosocial assistance for displaced teachers and learners.
“If we want to restore the children’s sense of continuity of learning, we also have to restore the teachers’ welfare,” Secretary Briones shared.
The DepEd conducted the one-day Stakeholders Forum to inform its partners of the status of the government’s programs and projects, and to strengthen collaboration with one another towards the achievement of quality, accessible, relevant, and liberating basic education for all. (DepEd)
