Usec. Umali graces the Regional BE Kick-Off Ceremony in SDO SCC

San Carlos City, Pangasinan-Usec. Tonisito MC. Umali,Undersecretary for Legislative Liaison Office, External Partnerships Service and School Sports, graced the Regional Brigada Eskwela Kick-Off Ceremony in the Schools Division Office of San Carlos City. The event was held at the Don Federico Mandapat Sports Dome, May 28. It was attended by DepEd Personnel from 14 divisions of the region headed by Dr. Alma Ruby C. Torio, Regional Director and the workforce of the five districts of the host division.

Before the ceremony started, a number of teaching and non-teaching staff, parents, supporters, volunteers and other stakeholders participated in the motorcade in the key streets around the city. Right after the motorcade, the program started with the singing of national anthem and other hymns with AVPs which were produced by the SDO-SCC. Mr. Mario S. Cariño, SCC ASDS, presented and welcomed the participants starting from the undersecretary, regional director, officials of the different schools divisions and the districts of the host division.

Dr. Sheila Marie A. Primicias, SDS of SCC, delivered her message to welcome the attendees. “Your gifts are not about you. Your leadership is not about you. Your purpose is not about you. All of these are truly about serving those who need your gifts, your leadership, and your purpose,” the superintendent said. Amidst numerous accomplishments in her first year as San Carlos City Division superintendent, she shares the honor with others acknowledging the power of synergy and saying that she had found a great team in the city.

Hon. Joseres “Bogs” Resuello, City Mayor, had an equally inspiring call for bayanihan. “Involve the community. Hindi ko proyekto lamang ito. Proyekto natin ito ,” he exclaimed. He recalled the 100 eco-friendly armchairs that were donated by Sen. Cynthia Villar and revealed that the local government is coordinating with the Villar Foundation to turn plastic trash to useful armchairs.

Dr. Alma Ruby C. Torio, Regional Director, acknowledged the “impressive partnership” between San Carlos City’s SDO and LGU under the leadership of Dr. Primicias and Mayor Resuello. She emphasized on unity and community involvement. “Working alone, we can do much but working together, we can achieve more. Are you ready for the coming school year? Are you ready to teach?” was her closing challenge.

Usec. Tonisito Umali, guest of honor and speaker, likewise stressed the importance of partnership. He urged the school heads to maximize coordination with the community. He said that Brigada Eskwela would be useless without community involvement. “Maling-mali po ang Brigada ninyo kung walang pakikilahok ang komunidad dito ,” the undersecretary reiterated. He constantly emphasized DepEd Secretary Leonora Magtolis Briones’ 10-Point Agenda and intensifying public and private partnership in the fulfillment of DepEd’s Vision, Mission and Core Values.

Ten sets of 55-inch LED TVs were awarded to the district over-all winners in conducting School Graduation Ceremony, 5 sets of Brother printers to the top-winners in the last year BE contest and Php 10,000 cash from Hon. Resuello was given to every school in San Carlos City Division.

The guest officials visited Central I and Central II Elementary Schools for the Brigada Eskwela activities. They joined in the repainting and repairing of chairs. The kick-off was capped off with planting of 50 coconut seedlings at the Speaker Eugenio Perez National Agricultural School.

The six-day Brigada Eskwela 2018 will run through June 2 with the theme “Pagkakaisa para sa Handa, Ligtas, at Matatag na Paaralan Tungo sa Magandang Kinabukasan“.

By: Bernard Rosario