CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) – The Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program is helping accelerate school preparation efforts across Central Luzon, with 1,192 beneficiaries deployed to assist in the implementation of Brigada Eskwela ahead of the opening of classes.
Department of Education (DepEd) Assistant Regional Director Jessie Amin said the TUPAD beneficiaries were deployed to various schools across the region to support essential maintenance and improvement activities, including classroom cleaning, minor repairs, repainting, landscaping, and the arrangement of school furniture. These efforts aim to ensure that learning environments are safe, clean, and conducive to student learning.
“Nasa 1,192 po ang TUPAD na tumulong sa ating Brigada Eskwela para sa preparasyon ng mga paaralan sa muling pagbabalik ng klase. Ang TUPAD members po ay naka-deploy sa mga paaralan sa buong rehiyon upang makatulong sa pagsasaayos, kumpuni, pagpipintura at paglilinis ng mga paaralan. Ito po ay sa pakikipagtulungan ng DOLE at LGU [local government units] sa DepEd,” he said.
Amin stressed that the initiative highlights the value of convergence among government agencies in addressing both education sector needs and livelihood support for disadvantaged workers.
Through the partnership among DepEd, DOLE, and local government units, he added that schools were able to augment their human resources and fast-track school preparation activities in time for the opening of classes on June 8.
TUPAD beneficiaries participate in school clean-up and maintenance activities during Brigada Eskwela in Central Luzon, helping create safe, child-friendly, and conducive learning environments for students. The initiative underscores the Marcos administration’s priority of strengthening school readiness and enhancing the quality of basic education through government and community partnerships. (DepEd Nueva Ecija)
Beyond improving physical facilities, Amin noted that the additional support enabled schools to focus on creating more learner-friendly environments that promote safety, comfort, and effective learning.
“Definitely handa na po ang mga schools natin. Malinis, maayos, child-friendly at conducive to learning,” the director pointed out.
The initiative also reflects the administration’s broader push for a whole-of-government approach in strengthening basic education, aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ‘s priority of improving learning environments and ensuring accessible, quality education for Filipino learners.
Amin also expressed hope that the collaboration may be sustained beyond the annual Brigada Eskwela implementation, noting that continued deployment of TUPAD beneficiaries could further support school maintenance while providing ongoing assistance to disadvantaged workers throughout the school year.
As preparations for the opening of classes continue, DepEd Central Luzon reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships with national government agencies, local governments, and community stakeholders to ensure that schools remain safe, inclusive, and conducive to learning.
Brigada Eskwela remains one of DepEd’s flagship programs, mobilizing volunteerism and inter-agency cooperation to prepare schools and promote quality education for all learners. (CLJD/MJSC, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)
