NEWS RELEASE 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐄𝐝 𝐊𝐢𝐜𝐤-𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐄𝐬𝐤𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐚 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐚, 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬

June 02, 2026

CABADBARAN CITY—𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗘𝗱) 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗱𝗮 𝗘𝘀𝗸𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗞𝗶𝗰𝗸-𝗢𝗳𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 (𝗖𝗖𝗡𝗛𝗦) 𝗦𝗛𝗦 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗲, 𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀, 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀.

The event marked the start of the annual bayanihan movement for education, underscoring the shared responsibility of ensuring that schools are safe, inclusive, and ready for learners.

Prior to the formal program, participants from the 12 Schools Division Offices of the Caraga Region and partner organizations joined the Brigada Eskwela Caravan, followed by a tree-planting activity attended by Education Secretary Sonny Angara, DepEd Executive Committee officials, including Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Service Cilette Liboro Co, Undersecretary for Strategic Management Ronald U. Mendoza, and Undersecretary Peter Irving C. Corvera, together with local government officials, regional directors, and partners, symbolizing a collective commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

In her welcome remarks, Cabadbaran City Mayor Judy Chin Amante expressed gratitude for choosing the city as host of the national event.

Agusan del Norte Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante emphasized the enduring spirit of bayanihan among Agusanons, reaffirming the province’s commitment to supporting education.

Representative Dale B. Corvera of the Lone District of Agusan del Norte likewise highlighted the importance of volunteerism in Brigada Eskwela, noting that every effort contributes to creating safe and conducive learning spaces for children.

A highlight of the program was the keynote address by Education Secretary Sonny Angara, who called on all sectors to sustain partnerships and volunteerism to strengthen the education system.

Secretary Angara congratulated the Caraga Region for successfully hosting both the 2026 Palarong Pambansa and the Brigada Eskwela 2026 National Kick-Off, recognizing its strong leadership, active community participation, and effective collaboration among stakeholders. He also announced support for additional classroom construction projects and commended teachers, officials, and partners for their dedication to improving learning outcomes.

He further expressed gratitude to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for mobilizing beneficiaries under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program, which supported school preparation activities nationwide while providing livelihood opportunities.

Supporting this initiative, DOLE Secretary highlighted the agency’s continued partnership with DepEd through TUPAD, strengthening community involvement in education-related programs.

The program also featured the presentation of Memoranda of Understanding with national partners and the turnover of donations, reinforcing multi-sectoral collaboration in support of schools and learners.

A major milestone was the launch of the DepEd Caraga Blended Learning 4.1 Program and the turnover of tablets, strengthening digital integration in teaching and learning.

Health and wellness were also emphasized through the YAKAP and Kalinga Caravan in partnership with PhilHealth, which provided services for teachers, learners, and families.

Following the formal program, participants visited the Brigada Eskwela Gallery Walk, partner booths, PhilHealth caravan stations, exhibits from the Schools Division Offices of Caraga, and the Brigada Pagbasa Reading Park. Simultaneous volunteer activities such as classroom cleaning, repainting, minor repairs, and reading initiatives further highlighted the spirit of bayanihan.

The event concluded with a school visit to Ansili Elementary School, where partner organizations turned over educational support projects, including the Aurora PH Solar Power Project and classroom television sets, to enhance learning resources.

With the successful conduct of the Brigada Eskwela 2026 National Kick-Off, DepEd reaffirmed its commitment to building stronger partnerships and mobilizing communities to create safe, resilient, and learner-centered schools—demonstrating that education thrives when collaboration becomes a shared responsibility and collective triumph.

For more information, contact (085) 221-1151, 0961-737-0873, or 0915-808-4734. Website: www.caraga.deped.gov.ph; email: caraga@deped.gov.ph; pau_caraga@deped.gov.ph.

By: Jairha Anne T. Sususco

TA I - ESSD

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