Thousands of Army Soldiers “Attacked” the Schools in Bicol Region for the Brigada Eskwela

SOLDIERS FOR EDUCATION. Army soldiers flocked to the public elementary schools around the Bicol Region to support the Brigada Eskwela 2010. This time, soldiers stockpiled their weapons and carried carpentry tools and cleaning materials instead.

SOLDIERS AND CARPENTERS. Soldiers who participated the Brigada Eskwela were armed with hammers and nails as they repaired decrepit school buildings like the one shown in the photo.


CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, CamSur – Thousands of Army soldiers literally swarmed the public elementary schools around the Bicol Region to participate in the DEPED’s Brigada Eskwela 2010, a military report said.

To maximize the efforts of the soldiers, Major General Ruperto Pabustan, Commander of the 9th Infantry Division directed the 5,000-men strong Army Division to participate in the maintenance and repair of school buildings.

“I specifically ordered every Brigade Commander to support the Brigada Eskwela activities in their respective area of assignments so that all provinces will be covered. We have the manpower to support this government-initiated program for our children’s education,” said Pabustan.

Launched on May 24, 2010, thousands of soldiers and CAFGU personnel of the 9th Infantry Division flocked to the various schools armed not with rifles and machineguns, but with brooms, paint brushes and carpentry tools.

Colonel Leoncio Cirunay, the Commander of the 22nd Infantry Battalion which administers the CAFGU units in Bicol Region, has supported the Brigada Eskwela for the past two years. He tapped the services of the 3,864 CAFGU personnel who are deployed in various areas around the region.

“Our participation in the Brigada Eskwela shows our willingness to support the peace and development programs of the government that benefit the people. Our soldiers are not only trained in warfighting, they are also taught on their roles in peace building,” said Cirunay.

Mrs Agustina Regalario, School Principal of the Pili West Central School, the first beneficiary during the program’s launching last Monday (May 24), said that she has relied on the Army’s help for the repair of the facilities.

“I am very thankful to the Army for its continuous support in this endeavor. We are indeed short of funds to maintain this school which caters over 1,000 pupils,” Regalario revealed.

Tinangis Elementary School, located near the foot of Mt Isarog in Pili town, was among the last schools refurbished by the soldiers during the closing of the Brigada Eskwela activities yesterday, May 28.

Over 200 participants supported the clean-up drive and repair of facilities, with the active participation of partners from Smart Communications and Pili Jaycees.

With the able support of all Army units, the Brigada Eskwela was a huge success.

To sum it all, the Army has supported the maintenance of 125 schools which benefited 40,357 elementary school pupils all over the Bicol Region.