CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — More than 1,100 beneficiaries of the Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program have been mobilized across Central Luzon to help public schools prepare for the opening of classes, providing an additional workforce for this year’s Brigada Eskwela campaign.
Education officials said 1,192 TUPAD workers were deployed to schools throughout the region to assist with campus clean-up, classroom maintenance, repainting, landscaping, furniture arrangement, and minor repair work as schools finalized preparations for the start of School Year 2026–2027 on June 8.
The initiative is part of a broader collaboration among the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and local government units aimed at ensuring that schools are safe, clean, and ready to welcome students.
According to DepEd Central Luzon officials, the additional manpower allowed schools to accelerate maintenance activities and complete essential preparations before classes resume. Education authorities said the effort also helped improve learning environments by making campuses more organized, child-friendly, and conducive to learning.
The deployment reflects a growing national effort to combine school readiness programs with short-term employment opportunities for disadvantaged workers. Nationwide, the government has mobilized approximately 240,000 TUPAD beneficiaries to support Brigada Eskwela activities in public schools across the country. The Department of Labor and Employment allocated around ₱2 billion for the initiative, which is expected to generate temporary employment while assisting schools in preparing classrooms and facilities for students.
Under the program, beneficiaries perform non-technical tasks such as classroom cleaning, waste management, hauling furniture and learning materials, clearing vegetation, landscaping, repainting, and other school improvement activities. Priority is given to qualified workers, including parents, guardians, and family members of students, as well as individuals who meet existing TUPAD eligibility requirements.
Officials said the partnership demonstrates how multiple government agencies can work together to address both educational and livelihood needs. While schools benefit from additional manpower, workers receive temporary employment and income that can help support household expenses, including education-related costs for their families.
The effort comes as schools across Central Luzon continue to receive support from volunteers, government agencies, civic organizations, and private-sector partners through Brigada Eskwela. Regional education officials recently reported that the annual campaign generated more than ₱43.8 million worth of resources on its opening day, with over 201,000 volunteers participating in school preparation activities throughout the region.
Brigada Eskwela remains one of DepEd’s flagship back-to-school programs, encouraging community participation in preparing schools before the start of classes. The initiative focuses on improving learning spaces, ensuring campus safety, and strengthening cooperation among government agencies, local communities, and stakeholders.
Education officials in Central Luzon said the support provided through TUPAD has helped schools complete critical preparations on schedule and has contributed to creating cleaner and safer learning environments for students returning to classrooms this school year. They also expressed optimism that similar collaborations can continue beyond Brigada Eskwela to support ongoing school maintenance efforts while providing additional livelihood opportunities for vulnerable workers.
As classes begin, education authorities said partnerships among national agencies, local governments, and community volunteers will remain important in maintaining school facilities and ensuring quality learning environments for millions of Filipino students.
