The Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela project has steadily gained recognition among various sectors. For CEMEX employees, the past four years have been extremely worthwhile as each year, they have volunteered to help prepare public elementary schools in time for school openings.

Also known as National Schools Maintenance Week, Brigada Eskwela was launched in 2003, and draws all education stakeholders to contribute their time, effort and resources to ensure that public schools are physically ready for the opening of classes.

Whether by word of mouth, curiosity or the strong desire to put in valuable time to help, excitement over the activity has increased within the organization over the years.

“It has become a routine part of my year or my family’s year to participate in the National School Maintenance Week. Once June looms on the horizon, we make sure that we sign up for it,” recounts repeat volunteer Gina Eala, CEMEX Philippines’ Vice President for Human Resources.

Sign up they have, together with other enthusiastic CEMEX employees from the Corporate, Solid Cement plant and APO Cement plant sites with Brigada staged by the CEMEX Philippines Foundation simultaneously in Antipolo City and Naga, Cebu..

Converging at the public schools, Cabarrus Elementary School in Antipolo and Don Emilio Canonigo Memorial National High School in Naga, people joined the local community in getting them ready for the new school year. Activities revolving around the schools include clean-up, repair, painting and tree-planting.