U.S. and Philippine military personnel collaborated in a community initiative to prepare schools for the upcoming academic year in Rizal, Palawan. From June 9 to 13, U.S. Army soldiers joined forces with members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) as part of Brigada Eskwela, an effort led by the Department of Education (DepEd).
Lieutenant Colonel Adam Chu, Acting Chief of the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group Philippines, stated, "Our military service members are honored to join their AFP and PCG counterparts in Brigada Eskwela, demonstrating our shared commitment to supporting and empowering local communities."
The collaborative effort included volunteers from the Philippine Marine Corps, Philippine Air Force, and PCG who were already present in Palawan for joint exercises. Together with local residents, they engaged in cleaning, painting, decorating, and repairing facilities at five schools: Malapandeg Elementary School, Guilingan Elementary School, Tarumpitao Point Elementary School, Rizal Central School, and Jose P. Rizal National High School.
"It is inspiring to see service members contributing to education on the home front," said DepEd Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary for Operations Malcolm S. Garma. "These students are the future of our nation. When we help them, we help build lasting peace and prosperity."
Brigada Eskwela is an annual program by DepEd that enlists volunteers to ensure schools are ready for students before classes commence. The U.S., as a longstanding partner committed to community development in the Philippines, has consistently supported such initiatives alongside disaster response efforts and joint training exercises.