The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will commence maintenance activities in public elementary and high schools nationwide in support of the Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) of the Department of Education (DepEd).

In a memorandum, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan ordered regional offices and district engineering offices to implement maintenance activities and programs in government schools prior to the reopening of face-to-face classes this year.

“As a contribution to DepEd’s annual OBE Program, our implementing offices were instructed once again to undertake measures that would help in ensuring smooth and orderly opening of classes,” Bonoan said in a statement Friday.

Under the program, the DPWH annually implements various maintenance works in public schools, in coordination with respective school heads.

Activities include painting or repainting of pedestrian lanes fronting schools, declogging of drainage and cleaning of manholes near schools, repair of dilapidated chairs, classroom ceilings, washrooms, and entrance gates.

For this year, DPWH offices were also ordered to organize outreach programs in at least two remote schools in their jurisdiction.

The outreach include tree planting activities inside schools, and donation drive for school supplies, books, facemasks, and food packs, among others.

The school year 2022-2023 will open on Aug. 22, with full face-to-face classes to start on Nov. 2. (PNA)