As public schools are set to reopen next week.
On Monday, June 1, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a press briefing at Malacañang that President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has ordered the Department of Education (DepEd) to implement the 2026 National Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) plan.
The goal is to ensure a safe, orderly and well-prepared nationwide opening of classes for School Year 2026-27, which will happen next Monday, June 8.
“Sa utos ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., ikinasa ng Department of Education ang Inter-Agency Oplan Balik Eskwela ngayong taon,” she said on the multi-sectoral mobilization that will run from June 1 to 11.
According to Castro, at least 16 government agencies and critical utility partners are collaborating with DepEd to strengthen logistics support and ensure the safety and security of schools.
She noted that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will implement security measures, community health initiatives, and a traffic management program.
Meanwhile, the Department of Energy (DOE) will ensure a stable electricity supply, while the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will strengthen consumer protection.
As for the Department of Transportation (DOTr), it is tasked to monitor the traffic conditions, while the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will intensify communication services and connectivity.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) shall then conduct 24/7 monitoring for unforeseen events, while the PCO will expand information dissemination efforts regarding the opening of classes.
In the utility sector, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) must ensure a continuous supply of electricity, while the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) has been delegated for the continuous supply of water inside schools.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will focus on infrastructure maintenance, with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) providing additional support and protection to students, particularly those in vulnerable situations.
BRIGADA ESKWELA 2026
Meanwhile, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, on Momday, led the simultaneous national launch of this year’s Brigada Eskwela at the Cabadbaran City National High School in Agusan del Norte.
“Ang Brigada Eskwela ay patunay ng lakas ng ating bayanihan para sa kinabukasan ng mga kabataan,” said Angara on the start of the week-long program under the theme “Bayanihan sa Paaralan: Nagkaisa para sa Kaayusan at Kaalaman.”
The annual program aims to promote community volunteerism for cleaning, simple repairs, painting, and maintenance of classrooms and school grounds.
During the kick off, Angara joined the volunteers in school readiness activities, where he personally helped paint the blackboard and desk in the Home Economics classroom.
In conjunction with the national launch, simultaneous regional kick-offs were also held on Monday in various Schools Division Offices, including Nueva Ecija, Batangas City, Puerto Princesa City, Talisay City, Calbayog City, and Davao City.
Meanwhile, the campaign for school readiness was also expanded by providing short-term jobs for local communities.
This, as the key feature of this year’s Brigada Eskwela is the strengthened partnership between the Department of Education and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program.
Under this partnership, the DOLE has allocated approximately PhP2 billion to fund short-term cash-for-work initiatives for school readiness.
Priority will also be given to public schools in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAS), underserved communities, and disaster-affected areas.
This collaboration between the two agencies aims to provide temporary employment to 240,000 workers. Priority will be given to qualified parents and relatives of students.
“Sa paggabay at suporta ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, pinag-isa natin ang TUPAD at Brigada upang hindi lang ihanda ang mga paaralan, kundi maghatid din ng kabuhayan sa mga pamilyang nangangailangan,” Angara further noted.
Apart from DOLE’s support through TUPAD, various government agencies and partners from the private sector have also pledged equipment, technical assistance, volunteer services, and community interventions to further strengthen the implementation of Brigada Eskwela 2026.
Amid the kick-off of Brigada Eskwela at Cabadbaran National High School, DepEd also conducted a YAKAP Caravan in partnership with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), which provided free medical consultations, laboratory tests, and basic medicines for school personnel and students.