Some 630 BDO employees volunteered nationwide to help prepare six public schools for the opening of classes under the company's Employee Volunteer Program, reinforcing the spirit of bayanihan during Brigada Eskwela 2026.

Teachers, parents, community members and volunteers cleaned classrooms, repainted walls and furniture, planted vegetable seedlings in school gardens, and carried out minor repairs to help create safer and more conducive learning environments for students.

To support the activities, BDO donated more than 500 gallons of paint, over 1,400 painting materials, more than 400 cleaning materials, and 80 trays of vegetable seedlings.

Volunteer activities

The volunteer activities were held at Gregoria De Jesus Elementary School in Caloocan City; Daanghari Elementary School and Navotas I Elementary School in Navotas City; Ilagan South Central School in Ilagan City, Isabela; Dansolihon Elementary School in Cagayan de Oro City; and Hermenegilda F. Gloria Memorial Elementary School in Dumaguete City.

Education officials welcomed the initiative, highlighting the role of community partnerships in supporting public schools.

Bayanihan spirit truly alive

"By showing up today, you have proven that the spirit of bayanihan in the Philippines is truly alive," said Department of Education National Capital Region assistant regional director Rita E. Riddle.

Schools Division superintendent Cecille G. Carandang of the DepEd Schools Division Office of Caloocan said the volunteers brought more than materials to schools.

"You just didn't bring gallons of paint, rags or brooms. What you really brought was hope," she said.

Representing the Office of the president of BDO Unibank, chief of staff Jerome C. Guevarra thanked the volunteers and school communities for working together to support Filipino learners.

Distinct privilege

"It is my distinct privilege to present to you the employee volunteers of BDO and thank you for giving us a chance to participate in your advocacy of supporting and ensuring the education and well-being of our youth," Guevarra said.

Acts of service contribute to a child’s education

BDO Foundation president Mario A. Deriquito said even simple acts of service contribute to a child's education.

"We are here to express and show our solidarity with all the people who work very hard every day to ensure that our children will have a bright future," he said.