Photo shows Rizal High School Principal Gilbert Inocencio (third from left) and COMP Vice President Rocky Dimaculangan (fourth from right) with documents finalizing the donation.  They are joined by Rizal High School Science Department Head Jocelyn Prado (third from right) and COMP staffers Au Paz, Joscelyn Mendoza, Emi Dalandan, and Rev Oblea.

To complement its member-companies’ efforts to advance education in the country, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) renewed its support for Brigada Eskwela, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Education (DepEd) that aims to promote community participation in preparing school facilities for the opening of classes.

COMP donated lavatory facilities and building improvement materials to the Rizal High School in Pasig City, the host local government unit of COMP in simple ceremonies participated in by COMP and school officials.

Rizal High School, which opened in 1902, once held the world record for being the world’s largest secondary level institution with over 23,000 students.  It is a breeding ground of Filipinos who have excelled in various fields, including senators Jovito Salonga, Rene Saguisag, and Loren Legarda, as well as National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco.

COMP has also supported other schools via Brigada Eskwela, namely Maybunga Elementary School, also in Pasig, and Justo Lucban Elementary School in Paco, Manila.

Also called the National Schools Maintenance Week, Brigada Eskwela has, over the years, mobilized thousands of parents, alumni, civic groups, non-government organizations, teachers, students, businesses, and individuals who volunteer their time and skills to do repairs, maintenance work, and cleanup of public elementary and secondary schools.  The nationwide caravan is conducted simultaneously across the country’s 16 regions.