Navotas city: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday participated in various literacy activities and reviewed school readiness measures in Navotas City as part of the nationwide Brigada Eskwela campaign in preparation for the start of classes on June 8.
According to Philippines News Agency, during the National Capital Region kickoff of Brigada Eskwela 2026 at Kapitbahayan Elementary School, Marcos engaged in a storytelling session with Grade 1 pupils, reading 'Ang Matsing at ang Pagong,' a classic Filipino story by national hero Jose Rizal. The President also inspected the school's facilities, including newly installed closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras aimed at enhancing campus security.
Marcos highlighted the importance of ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment as millions of students gear up to return to classrooms. He also inspected ongoing repair and maintenance efforts under Brigada Eskwela, where volunteers clean, paint, and rehabilitate school facilities before the academic year begins.
The President noted that many volunteers have been enrolled under the Department of Labor and Employment's Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program. So far, 147 schools have benefited from the initiative, involving 3,658 TUPAD beneficiaries and PHP26.12 million in assistance. An additional 181 schools are set to receive support, benefiting 4,597 workers through an additional PHP37.14 million allocation.
Marcos also observed the implementation of the 'Tara, Basa!' program, a summer literacy intervention that utilizes college students to help younger learners improve their reading skills while receiving financial assistance for their education. The President visited a school reading nook, furthering the administration's efforts to expand access to learning materials through library hubs and community-based reading spaces.
He expressed optimism over the progress of literacy initiatives, noting the enthusiasm and reading abilities of the pupils he encountered during his visit. Brigada Eskwela 2026, themed 'Bayanihan sa Paaralan: Nagkakaisa para sa Kaayusan at Kaalaman,' runs from June 1 to 5 nationwide as schools prepare for the opening of School Year 2026-2027. Marcos expressed hope that all preparations would be completed by the time classes resume.
