Thousands of informal workers tapped for schools rehab in Central Visayas

Local

EQUIPPED with paint brushes, brooms and repair tools, workers have begun preparing public schools across Central Visayas for the opening of classes.

This as the Department of Labor and Employment-Central Visayas (Dole-7) rolled out a P41.3-million employment program that will benefit more than 6,500 informal workers for the rehabilitation of schools in preparation of the upcoming school year.

Dole-7 allocated P41.295 million under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD)-Brigada Eskwela Program to support school maintenance and rehabilitation efforts across the region while providing temporary jobs to disadvantaged and displaced workers.

The program will engage 6,572 beneficiaries who will assist in cleaning, repairing and maintaining public elementary and high schools before the start of School Year 2026-2027.

According to the agency, the initiative supports the Department of Education's Brigada Eskwela campaign, which mobilizes communities to prepare schools for the opening of classes.

The regional office launched the program on May 26, 2026, deploying an initial 1,228 TUPAD beneficiaries to 12 schools in Cebu City, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City.

Starting June 1, Dole 7 expanded the implementation and assigned an additional 5,344 beneficiaries to 62 more public schools across Central Visayas.

In total, the program covers 74 schools and 1,199 classrooms throughout the region.

Metro Cebu accounts for the largest share of the beneficiaries and funding. Dole 7 allotted P7.09 million for the initial batch of 1,228 workers assigned to 12 schools in Cebu City, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City.

These beneficiaries will assist in preparing 261 classrooms.

The agency also allocated P33.4 million for 5,205 beneficiaries who will work in 57 schools and help maintain 875 classrooms in the same three cities.

Outside Metro Cebu, Dole 7 earmarked P346,500 for 60 beneficiaries who will render services in three schools in Catigbian, Bohol.

The workers will help prepare 21 classrooms under the Brigada Eskwela campaign.

In Talisay City's Barangay Jaclupan, the agency allocated P456,225 for 79 beneficiaries assigned to two schools covering 42 classrooms.

The implementation periods vary by location. The first batch of beneficiaries in Metro Cebu started work on May 26 and will continue until June 4, while another group will serve from May 31 to June 15.

The second wave of workers assigned to schools in Cebu City, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City will work from June 1 to June 10 and from June 3 to June 13.

Through the TUPAD-Brigada Eskwela Program, Dole 7 aims to accelerate school preparation activities while providing short-term employment opportunities to workers affected by economic hardship.

The P41.295-million allocation makes Central Visayas one of the regions participating in the nationwide Brigada Eskwela effort, which combines community volunteerism and government assistance to ensure that public schools are ready for the return of students.

Meanwhile, the Cebu Provincial Government increased its 2026 education budget to P1.821 billion after the Cebu Provincial School Board approved a P367.9-million supplemental appropriation from the Special Education Fund during its June 2 meeting.

The additional funding includes P100 million for a province-wide school feeding program and another P100 million for expanding the province’s smart classroom initiative.

The new allocation will augment the existing budget for the project and could raise the number of smart classroom buildings from the original target of 51 to as many as 60, following requests from several local government units.

The supplemental budget also covers funding for temporary learning shelters, mobile libraries and training centers, speech laboratories, learning materials, school supplies, and financial assistance for the Central Visayas delegation to the Palarong Pambansa.

Provincial officials said the additional investments aim to address classroom shortages, improve learning environments, and strengthen educational support services for learners across Cebu Province.(MyTVCebu)