Company employees join nationwide initiative to prepare public schools for new academic year
PASIG CITY – Armed with paintbrushes, cleaning supplies, and plenty of enthusiasm, Republic Biscuit Corporation (Rebisco) employees rolled up their sleeves alongside teachers, parents, and volunteers at Oranbo Elementary School on June 11, transforming tired classrooms into vibrant learning spaces ahead of the new school year.
The corporate volunteers joined the nationwide Brigada Eskwela 2025 initiatives, which mobilizes communities to clean, repair, and equip public school before classes begin. At Oranbo Elementary, the focus was on the fundamentals: scrubbing classrooms spotless, applying fresh coats of paint to worn walls, and breathing new life into weathered school furniture.
Beyond the manual labor, Rebisco provided essential cleaning materials and snacks to fuel the day’s work, supporting the Department of Education’s call for the private sector involvement in public school readiness.
For Dr. Victor Javeña, OIC-Principal of Oranbo Elementary School, the effort represents a vital community partnership. “We need to do something to make sure that all our facilities are good, especially our learning centers and classrooms, so our children feel they are truly welcomed for the opening of classes,” he explained.
Dr. Javeña emphasized how crucial these public-private partnerships have become in supporting education. While local government provides substantial backing, he noted that Pasig’s 44 public schools welcome all the assistance they can get.
For Rebisco, the initiative goes beyond traditional corporate social responsibility. “What we’re doing here is part of our thrust in realizing the company’s vision of being a positive force in the community,” explained Andrei Soriano, Business Unit Head for Biscuits.
The collaborative effort at Oranbo Elementary reflects a growing trend of corporations stepping up to support public education infrastructure. As schools nationwide prepare to welcome students back, partnerships like this one demonstrate how businesses can play a meaningful role in ensuring every child has access to a clean, safe, and inspiring learning environment.
The impact extends far beyond fresh paint and clean desks. As the community wrapped up their work, the shared commitment was clear in Soriano’s parting words: “Let’s all work together to provide a better education, better future for our children.”
With spotless classrooms now ready and a renewed sense of community partnership, Oranbo Elementary School students will return to facilities that truly reflect their community’s investment in their future—a powerful reminder that education takes a village.
