Now on its 4th year, the Metropolitan Naga Water District (MNWD) continue to support the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Brigada Eskwela, with this year’s theme: “Pagpapanatili ng Bayanihan Tungo sa Kalidad na Edukasyon para sa Kabataan”. This year is rather different compared to the previous year’s Brigada Eskwela implementations which included physical cleaning, painting, repainting, and minor repairs in campuses, due to the outbreak of COVID – 19.

Several adjustments were made under the “new normal” in undertaking this program such as prioritizing preparations and strengthening partnership engagement to ensure that quality basic education will continue, despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

Even though physical contact and travel is highly discouraged during this time, MNWD carried on with its annual activity and offered free inspection and labor for basic waterline repairs, distributed customized water drums with faucet and provided Information, Education, Communication (IEC) materials to its beneficiary schools in Naga City and four other municipalities in Camarines Sur, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Through the Public Relations and External Affairs Section (PREAS) with the support of the Water Distribution and Restoration Division (WDRD), MNWD began with the program early July for the inspection followed by the actual repair of the schools’ waterline system. Meanwhile, its first batch of customized water drums were distributed last September 10, 2020 in Naga City, Gainza and Camaligan. The next batch included public schools in Canaman and Magarao on October 20, 2020, completing the twenty (20) school recipients for this year.

MNWD’s support for Brigada Eskwela goes beyond encouraging bayanihan among students, teachers, parents, volunteers, and other education stakeholders. It likewise intends to provide emphasis and public awareness on the fact that water, being a primary necessity, must be properly conserved as the demand for such increases each day. Solution starts with the people, and schools are one of the best allies in influencing the community to act intelligently for the sustainability and preservation of our water resources. (YMMSavilla)

MNWD’S Brigada Eskwela Team concluded this years’ activity by distributing customized water drums to 20 public schools within its service coverage area.

Apart from the customized water drums, MNWD likewise distributed laminated IEC materials on Proper Handwashing Techniques and the Minimum Health Protocols to fight Covid-19.

Despite the rainy weather, MNWD visited Liñaga Elementary School, one of the school beneficiaries located near an open field in Canaman, Camarines, to hand over the inclusions in the Brigada Eskwela Program.

Three plumbers from the Water Distribution and Restoration Division (WDRD) doing installation and repair works for the waterline system of one of the recipients for Brigada Eskwela 2020.

Mr. Wilson Alayan (wearing red polo shirt) from WDRD supervised the labor requirements in the waterline network of the schools needing repairs and installation as part of the MNWD’s Support to Brigada Eskwela.