Unified by a common goal of securing good quality education and well-being for the Filipino children, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 1 showed its support to the Department of Education’s Happy School Movement (HSM) and Brigada Eskwela 2019 that kick-off recently in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
With the theme “Paaralang Masayang Maglingkod, Tagumpay ng Bata’y Itataguyod”, the HSM is an advocacy that envisions having a generation of responsive and cross-culture competent future builders through creating a happier and more positive school atmosphere. The DepEd acknowledges the engagement of external stakeholders like the DSWD in the effective and transparent school governance that leads to happy school environment among learners and teachers.
Relative to this, the DSWD has its own fair share to the HSM’s advocacy through its Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program that provides cash grants to poor households, primarily of children aged 0-18 years old. With the conditionalities of the program being met by the beneficiaries in order to receive the program packages, a child has a positive learning attitude in school. Ultimately, he and the rest of the family are guided to become responsible citizens of the community.
The Brigada Eskwela as an annual National Maintenance Week in all public elementary and high schools aims to inculcate volunteerism efforts and active citizenship among the community players to make the schools more conducive for learning. Scheduled on 20 – 25 May 2019, thousands of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries and some DSWD staff in Region 1 work hand in hand in the cleaning, repairing, repainting and other maintenance activities of the schools.
The kick-off activity also served as an Information Caravan venue for DSWD staff who distributed flyers of the DSWD programs and services to the participants. (by: Janine Joy B. Altero, Social Marketing Officer, Sustainable Livelihood Program)
