Hermenegilda Gloria Memorial High School on Monday led the kick off program and caravan of the 2019 Brigada Eskwela, a program to help ensure that the schools are clean, safe, and conducive to learning.
The kick-off and caravan started at 7:30 a.m. at the Banilad Barangay Hall, Gawad Kalinga and Habitat Housing and all the way to Hermenegilda School.
School Principals Edeltrudes Dales and Claudio Sun Jr. spearheaded the kick-off, along with barangay officials, representatives from the local government unit, parents, teachers, learners and various stakeholders.
In a statement, Dales underscored the importance of the activity in ensuring that the schools would be able to accommodate learners, noting that “schools are safe, orderly and K to 12 ready.”
Earlier, the Schools Division of Dumaguete City of the Department of Education also made a similar Brigada Eskwela caravan around the city streets. City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo lauded DepEd in honing the young learners to become better and law-abiding citizens of the country. He added that he has allocated a budget for schools in Dumaguete City for the repair of classrooms and procurement of instructional facilities.
As part of the 2019 Brigada Eskwela, school officials, along with community partners, conducted activities like advocacy campaigns against illegal drugs, health and sanitation, and disaster resiliency. There was also a series of skills trainings.
Among the highlights of this year’s Brigada Eskwela is to ensure that schools are safe and prepared in times of emergencies.
DepEd has also issued the School Safety and Preparedness Guide to provide “guidance to schools and education partners in ensuring safety and preparedness” of learners as well as personnel “before, during and after emergencies.”
Hundreds of residents from Barangay Banilad and Bajumpandan including its adjacent villages flocked to Hermenegilda High School to avail the free medical, surgical, and dental services from the MagDegamo Medical Team.
The residents availed of free consultation, medicines, dental, minor surgical operation, circumcision (tuli), haircut, reflexology, massage, reading glasses, chest x-ray, animal welfare mission, and agricultural crops.
Bajumpandan Village Chief Crispin Patrimonio lauded the medical mission of the Provincial Government since many of his constituents were able to avail of free services.
Among the medical doctors who participated in the mission were Provincial Health Officer Henrissa Calumpang, Bais City Chief of Hospital Dr. Juanito Tiu, Guihulngan Chief of District Hospital Dr. Edgardo Pialago, Bayawan City Chief of District Hospital Dr. Raul Encarnacion, and Dr. Virginia Tinagan from the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital.
Meanwhile, the dental team included Dr. Serena Rubio, Dr. Sheila Absin, Dr. Rene Ibarra, and Dr. Elyn Mira.
The Provincial Veterinary Office headed by Jaime Villaluz also gave free anti-rabies injections to animals.
Hermenegilda High, through its Committee on Health and Sanitation, invited some resource persons from the City Health Office focusing on dengue control.
“We welcome such activity because this is very timely and relevant,” said PTA President Liza Hindang.
On a separate date, officers from the City Disaster Risk- Reduction Management Office also lectured on the importance of disaster preparedness.
The lecturers introduced the types of disasters, how to respond during disaster, disaster prevention and mitigation. (Claudio Albina Sun Jr.)
