To Advance Business and Communities, City Savings Bank’s 106 branches nationwide heeded the call of the Department of Education (DepEd) to support this year’s BrigadaEskwela initiatives last May 28 to June 2.

800 employee volunteers visited a total of 277 beneficiary public schools located across the country to turn over donations, clean, repair and repaint school facilities in time for the new academic year.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones together with other DepEd officials attended the national kick-off last May 29 at New Society National High School, General Santos City. “To all of us in DepEd, we have to continue doing everything to strengthen and to further improve Brigada Eskwela. It is an opportunity for us to be together and to be united for our learners. There are many challenges that we face and DepEd is aware of these. We call on the general public to support our initiatives and advocacies” she emphasized.

Likewise Undersecretary Tonisito Umali highlighted that “Giving priority to quality education at all levels and making it accessible to all is a mandate of the State. This will never happen without school and community partnerships as well as shared responsibility for the development of lifelong learners”.

Adopt-A-School (ASP) Coordinator Rhea Reduca of Bendita Elementary School, Magallanes, Cavite is thankful for the improvement of their school pathway as the rainy season approaches. “It is now very accessible to everyone. Even if it rains, the students are safe when they pass through. Thank you CitySavings for helping us construct the project” she shared.

In Cebu, Principal Viurina Baguio of Cordova Central School shared her school’s appreciation as one of CitySavings’ beneficiaries this year. “Their donation of paints and construction materials will greatly help us improve our school perimeter fence for the safety of our students” she mentioned.

While in South Cotabato, the bank helped create a better learning environment at Didiangas East Elementary School. “We are very grateful for the donated construction and painting materials for the refurbishment and renovation of our science laboratory. This room used to be a bodega but because of CitySavings’ help our students can now benefit and learn their science subject and conduct their experiments better” said Principal Rex Arellano.

“Guided by this year’s theme, ‘Pagkakaisa para sa handa, ligtas at matatag na paaralan tungo sa magandang kinabukasan’, we at CitySavings consider this an opportunity for our employees to take part in nation building. We look forward to more collaboration and partnership with DepEd” shared Reputation Management Head Paula Ruelan.

CitySavings, which is consistently recognized by DepEd for its various education-focused multi-intervention projects, has been supporting Brigada Eskwela since 2008. This is the bank’s biggest Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative to create a lasting impact on the schools’ teaching and learning environment.