The continued support to the Department of Education’s projects by the International Evangelist Bro. Eli Soriano continued with the agency’s ‘Brigada Eskwela’ this year, where volunteers from the Ang Dating Daan group took part to the nationwide school clean-up and reconstruction effort.
Bro. Eli is the Presiding Minister to Members Church of God International (MCGI) known locally by the name Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path in English), the long-running religious program it produces.
A Concerted Effort
Brigada Eskwela is an annual public service held every summer aimed to prepare and improve school buildings and facilities in preparation for the academic year’s opening. This year, the countrywide endeavour ran from May 19-24.
This year’s Brigada Eskwela theme focused on safety and disaster preparedness. With help from partner private groups, the Education Department is looking forward to having a learning environment safe for students this coming school year.
DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro believe that with the concerted effort of partners and volunteers, each can “contribute in helping create a clean and resilient learning environment” for learners.
“We cannot improve and maintain our schools without the help of stakeholders,” said Principal Maria Debbie Resma of San Agustin Elementary School, one of the beneficiary schools in Quezon City.
Bro. Eli’s Support, Sustained
For a long time, Bro. Eli has been supportive of this DepEd-initiated campaign that has began in 2003, inspired by the Bible-based principle that doing good will bear no evil fruit.
Another constant partner and supporter of DepEd’s ‘Brigada Eskwela’ is UNTV’s Daniel Razon, Chairman and CEO of the media channel’s content provider, Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International (BMPI).
From youths to elderlies, volunteers took part to the week-long undertaking. “We all need to work hand in hand in order to lighten the load of the work,” the 83-year-old Josephine Pasaporte remarked.
“As an individual taught by Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel, I am delighted to be of help to others,” Ed Meredor, one of the participating Ang Dating Daan members shared.
“We are appreciative [of the support],” DepEd’s Assistant Secretary Jesus Mateo said. “In fact, we are encouraging other groups like you to partake in Brigada Eskwela.”
Aida Reyes, Principal of the Caloocan Elementary School, also expressed her gratitude, “I am really thankful to Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon who are the advocates of the campaign that doing good will bring no harm.”
Apart from the annual Brigada Eskwela, Bro. Eli also initiated the Dunong-Gulong, a school-on-the-wheels project supportive of DepEd’s Alterntaive Learning System education program.
(Written by Emmy Borromeo)
