Antique: The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Antique is calling on the 18 local government units (LGUs) within the province to lend their support to the Brigada Eskwela program scheduled for June 1-5.

According to Philippines News Agency, Dr. Roselyn Abuela, the DepEd Antique Partnerships Focal Person, emphasized the need for assistance in minor repairs and maintenance of schools. In a recent interview, she highlighted that several schools require painting and minor repairs for roofing and classroom doors. Dr. Abuela suggested that LGUs could deploy beneficiaries from the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged (TUPAD) program to aid in these efforts.

Dr. Abuela further explained that their central office has established a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Labor and Employment. This agreement facilitates the deployment of TUPAD workers to public schools, where they can contribute by cleaning and sanitizing classrooms and school grounds, repairing school fixtures, and engaging in landscaping, beautification, and other related activities.

In a parallel development, the Antique provincial board, during its regular session on Monday, approved a resolution urging all LGUs, national government agencies, private sector partners, and other stakeholders to actively support and participate in the annual school maintenance week. Additionally, a separate resolution requested the Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and other relevant agencies to carry out a province-wide school monitoring activity. This initiative aims to ensure a safe, orderly, and smooth opening of classes for the school year 2026-2027.

DepEd supervises 610 public schools in Antique, which are expected to welcome approximately 151,000 learners in the upcoming school year.