TACLOBAN CITY — The Tacloban City government has released a total of P4.5 million in financial assistance to 60 public schools to support campus repairs and preparations ahead of the opening of classes, reinforcing efforts to ensure that schools are ready to welcome students for the new academic year.
The funding, sourced from the city’s Special Education Fund (SEF), provided P75,000 to each public school under the Department of Education (DepEd) Tacloban City Division. The assistance is intended to finance minor repairs, facility improvements, cleanup activities, and other school readiness measures under the annual Brigada Eskwela program.
The distribution of the funds was held on May 28 at Pacific Point Events Place and Resort, just days before the nationwide observance of Brigada Eskwela Week from June 1 to 5.
Brigada Eskwela is a yearly initiative of the Department of Education that mobilizes local governments, parents, teachers, community volunteers, and private sector partners to prepare schools for the opening of classes through maintenance, repairs, and other improvement activities.
During the turnover ceremony, Schools Division Superintendent Sherlita Palma reminded school heads and administrators to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of the funds.
Palma urged recipients to submit detailed utilization plans and programs of work and to properly document all expenditures to guarantee that the assistance is spent for its intended purposes.
Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Raymond Romualdez said the city government is considering increasing the assistance to P85,000 per school next year as part of its continuing investment in education.
He noted that while the city remains committed to supporting public schools, local officials must also balance education funding with other budget priorities amid economic and fiscal challenges.
The release of the assistance underscores the city’s partnership with DepEd in improving learning conditions and maintaining safe, functional, and learner-friendly school environments.
The official kickoff of Brigada Eskwela activities in the DepEd Tacloban City Division was held on June 2 at Scandinavian National High School, where teachers, parents, volunteers, and local stakeholders joined efforts to prepare classrooms and school facilities for the incoming school year.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
