By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Department of Education-Division of Bacolod City (DepEd-Bacolod) yesterday kicked off this year’s Brigada Eskwela with a motorcade around the city. The annual event gathers students, parents, teachers, among others to conduct cleaning, painting, and minor repair work to local schools.
The programs seeks to prepare public schools for the upcoming academic year, which begins next month.
According to a DepEd memorandum signed by DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones earlier this year, all members of the local public school system, from regional directors and schools division superintendents to DepEd staff and education stakeholders are expected to participate in the event.
It also notes, volunteers are prohibited from requesting fees; and firearms, even among uniformed personnel, are barred from school premises.
Brigada Eskwela ends on Saturday./DGB, WDJ