CitySavings Helps Prepare a Better Learning Space Through Brigada Eskwela

Guided by its core values of service, teamwork, and responsibility, close to 870 employee volunteers of City Savings Bank, Inc. (CitySavings) helped prepare a better learning space for 230 public schools nationwide through the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Brigada Eskwela last May 20 to 25.

The bank’s employee volunteers along with DepEd officials, teachers, parents, and other members of the community cleaned, repaired, and repainted facilities before the new school year starts in June.

During the national kick-off ceremony last May 16 at Alfonso Central School in Alfonso, Cavite, Education Secretary Leonor Briones highlighted the spirit of bayanihan evident during Brigada Eskwela. In a message read on her behalf, she shared, “Today is one of those many occasions when Filipinos gather and prove that quality education is a top priority for our nation. Our countrymen from all walks of life volunteer their time, energy, and resources to ensure that the youth will have a clean, safe, and conducive learning environment come the first day of class.”

Likewise Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships, and Project Management Service Tonisito Umali reiterated the importance of quality education. “Let us internalize the relevance of this event. In order to promote quality education, our schools have to be conducive for teaching and learning. Brigada Eskwela is an important initiative for the state to operationalize this mandate.”

CitySavings helped 55 beneficiary public schools in Western, Central, and Eastern Visayas. Principal Rubelyn Mangilaya of Inayawan National High School in Cebu City highlighted how Brigada Eskwela will address a pressing problem in their school, “Last school year, we had a huge dropout rate of 7 percent, for example due to family related issues which are beyond our control. We want to change that by keeping our students in school. Hence we are thankful for Brigada Eskwela, the volunteers and stakeholders for helping us have a clean and orderly place to motivate our students to finish schooling. A better learning space leads to a better learning experience.”

“Inspired by this year’s theme, Matatag na Bayan para sa Maunlad na Paaralan, we at CitySavings are grateful that we were able to serve our communities and contribute to nation-building. CitySavings will continue to advance business and communities to drive change for a better world” shared Reputation Management Head Paula Ruelan. (by Jomes Kemuel Ibañez)