President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday joined literacy activities and inspected school preparedness measures in Navotas City as part of the nationwide Brigada Eskwela campaign ahead of the opening of classes on June 8.
During the National Capital Region kickoff of Brigada Eskwela 2026 at Kapitbahayan Elementary School, Marcos led a storytelling session with Grade 1 pupils, reading “Ang Matsing at ang Pagong,” a classic Filipino tale by national hero Jose Rizal.
The President also toured the school’s facilities, including newly installed closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras aimed at improving campus security.
“Ang una nating pinuntahan ay ‘yung CCTV. Nagkabit tayo ng CCTV. Dito sa eskuwelahan na ito, they have 16 cameras para bantayan at tiyakin na ligtas ang mga bata (The first thing we checked is their CCTVs. We installed CCTVs. In this school they have 16 cameras to check on the learners and ensure their safety),” Marcos said.
He said the government continues to prioritize creating a safe and conducive learning environment as millions of students prepare to return to classrooms.
Aside from inspecting safety facilities, Marcos checked ongoing repair and maintenance works under Brigada Eskwela, where volunteers clean, paint, and rehabilitate school facilities before the start of the school year.
The President noted that many of the volunteers have been enrolled under the Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
Marcos said 147 schools have already benefited from the initiative, involving 3,658 TUPAD beneficiaries and PHP26.12 million in assistance.
Another 181 schools are set to receive support, benefiting 4,597 workers through an additional PHP37.14 million allocation.
The President likewise observed the implementation of the “Tara, Basa!” program, a summer literacy intervention that taps college students to help younger learners improve their reading skills while receiving financial assistance for their education.
“Kinukuha natin ang mga college student na gustong tumulong at sila ang nagtuturo para maging mas magaling magbasa ang mga bata (We hire college students who wants to help and earn by teaching kids how to read),” he said.
Marcos also visited a school reading nook, part of the administration’s broader effort to expand access to learning materials through library hubs and community-based reading spaces.
The President expressed optimism over the progress of literacy initiatives, noting the enthusiasm and reading abilities of the pupils he met during the visit.
“Nakakatuwang makita na full blast tayo sa educational sector at lahat ng pangangailangan, hangga’t kayang ibigay ng pamahalaan, ibinibigay natin (It’s good to see that we are on a full blast mode in the education sector and every need, as long as the government can provide, we deliver),” he said.
Brigada Eskwela 2026, carrying the theme “Bayanihan sa Paaralan: Nagkakaisa para sa Kaayusan at Kaalaman,” runs from June 1 to 5 nationwide as schools prepare for the opening of School Year 2026-2027.
“Buong bansa gagawin natin ito. At sana by opening of class, tapos na tayo lahat with everything (We will do this nationwide. And hopefully when classes resume, we are done with everything,” Marcos said. (PNA)
