Deped to start Brigada Marawi soon

THE Department of Education (Deped 11) will be participating in the conduct of the “Brigada Marawi”, dubbed as one of the remarkable brigadas that will ever be done by all regional offices in the country.

Deped 11 Spokesperson Jenielito Atillo, in an interview with Sun.Star Davao, said Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones gathered all regional directors in Cagayan de Oro City this week to discuss the details and plans regarding the school restoration.

Atillo said Briones, during the discussion, confirmed that there are six elementary and high schools, which are inside the safe zone area as verified by the military, that are part of the Brigada Marawi project.

Considering that the firefight in Marawi is still ongoing, Atillo said the military will be doing several security assessments on the school areas to assure that no explosive devices or any person that could cause turmoil prior to the brigada activity.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), he added, will also be visiting the schools prior the brigada to make evaluation on the weight of the damages and the repairs needed to be done.

He added that Deped already expected that this will be a huge brigada as the situation in Marawi City has completely wrecked establishments, including schools.

"Deped wants to let them know that they are not alone in this battle and they have an extended family, Deped, that will support them and will not allow education to stop because of the war," Atillo said.

He said Deped 11 already sent financial assistance to the affected schools for the past months through the initiative of regional director lawyer Alberto T. Escobarte.

Private sector, Atillo said, is highly urged by Deped to also extend help in Brigada Marawi.

At present, he said Deped regional directors and secretary Briones will still be discussing the dates of the implementation and other details of the project. BSC