KIDAPAWAN CITY — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has deployed 5,011 TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) beneficiaries to 163 public schools across SOCCSKSARGEN (Region 12), including schools in Kidapawan City, as part of the Brigada Eskwela 2026 program, the Philippine Information Agency reported.
The deployment covers the cities of Koronadal, General Santos, Tacurong, and Kidapawan, as well as municipalities in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and Cotabato Province. Workers are helping prepare approximately 2,205 classrooms in time for the June 8 opening of classes.
Under the program, each TUPAD beneficiary receives PHP 475 per day for up to 20 days of work, aligned with the regional minimum wage rate, with the total allocated fund amounting to over PHP 47.4 million.
DOLE and the Department of Education (DepEd) jointly organized the initiative to ensure that learning facilities are clean, safe, and ready to welcome students for School Year 2026-2027. Workers are assigned tasks such as classroom cleaning, minor repairs, repainting, landscaping, waste management, and organizing school furniture and learning materials.
Kidapawan City, the capital of Cotabato Province, is home to dozens of public elementary and high schools that benefit from this annual program. The City's schools serve thousands of students from its 40 barangays, making school readiness a top priority for the local government.
Brigada Eskwela is a flagship program of DepEd that mobilizes volunteerism and inter-agency cooperation to prepare schools nationwide. The partnership with DOLE's TUPAD program adds a crucial dimension by providing temporary livelihood to disadvantaged workers while helping address the staffing needs of school preparation efforts.
For schools and organizations in Kidapawan City looking for quality uniform solutions, custom school shirts and uniforms are an excellent way to foster school spirit and identity. Many schools across Region 12 take advantage of custom-printed shirts for their Brigada Eskwela volunteers and staff.
DepEd regional officials emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between government agencies, local government units, and communities to ensure that schools are prepared and conducive for learning. The TUPAD-Brigada Eskwela convergence highlights the spirit of bayanihan that has long been a cornerstone of school preparation in Kidapawan City and across SOCCSKSARGEN.