BARANGAY COUNCIL / PTCA SPEARHEAD BRIGADA ESKWELA AT PILAOAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN SAGUNTO, SISON, PANGASINAN
By: Loejan S. Anudon
“It is at this juncture that the Honorable Board Member, Danilo C. Uy, the pride of the 5th District of Pangasinan, comes always in the frontline together with Mayor Kimi and the Honorable Congressman, Mark O. Cojuangco.”
Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide project of the Department of Education that is aimed to unite the community, parents and school personnel in cleaning and preparing the school buildings, grounds and facilities for the coming school opening. Most of the work is usually done during summer vacation, a few weeks before classes start. It is customary for the school heads and the PTCA president to solicit sponsors for donations of paint and construction materials to be used during the activity that usually lasts a day or two.
It is at this juncture that the Honorable Board Member, Danilo C. Uy, the pride of the 5th District, comes always in the frontline. As a side note, Board Member Uy was also one among the negotiators during the luncheon meeting with the Pacio family who agreed to donate portion of their land for the Pilaoan Elementary School. He also facilitated the immediate release of relief goods from the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce that benefitted most Sisonians.
The direct involvement and participation of barangay leaders, hand-in-hand with the PTCA and school personnel, during the execution of the Dep-Ed’s Brigada Eskwela program in all schools is a great exercise of teamwork and cooperation and should be encouraged to continue.
The Pilaoan Elementary School, set atop one of the highest mountains of the Municipality of Sison, is one among the many schools seriously hurt by the typhoon. Giant trees fell on its roofs and its Home Economics shack was torn to pieces and gone with the wind. A cry for help from the two assigned teachers, Mrs. Percy Palit-ang Libatique and Ms. Marjorie Sabiano, impelled the Barangay Sagunto Council to climb the area geared with bolos and chainsaws. Upon arrival, the school’s PTCA headed by Mrs. Julia Seben, were already present and have started collecting the debris and stockpiling reusable materials. It took almost a day to liven up the place.
The infectious laughter of the very young Barangay Councilors, Nicole, Arlene and the SK’s Chairwoman, Ellaine, inspired everyone. Brgy. Kagawad Ruperto “Abat” Literal showed off his masculine physique but did not impress the bull of the Barangay Sagunto Council, Kgd. John “Atiwag” Damaso. Hon. Fe Inocencio together with the Barangay Secretary, Cesar W. Carino, commandeered the older women in pulling the weeds and grasse that grew along the cracks and crevices of the basketball court. Hon. Angel E. Castillo had a hard time combatting the red ants who stood their ground to protect their territory. The Punong Barangay, Hon. Manuel L. Esteban, Sr., sponsored the transport vehicle that ferried everyone to the site. The teachers brought out their broomstick weapons and helped Kgd. Castillo get rid of the ferrocious ants that choose to bite hidden body parts. This author was the garbage collector.
The cement request from the Barangay Sagunto Council has been granted. 
