DepEd NCR Launches “Reading Nook: Read to Rise” Program at Kapitbahayan Elementary School During Brigada Eskwela 2026
DepEd National Capital Region officially launched the “Reading Nook: Read to Rise” Program during the annual Brigada Eskwela implementation at Kapitbahayan Elementary School in Navotas City. The event marked a significant step in advancing literacy-friendly learning environments alongside school safety and community engagement.
Under the leadership of DepEd NCR Regional Director and concurrent OIC-Assistant Secretary for Operations, Asec. Jocelyn DR Andaya, the Region underscored its ongoing commitment to transform schools into safer, better-prepared, and literacy-rich spaces for all learners. The regional initiative aligns with the broader goals of Brigada Eskwela, which traditionally focuses on school maintenance and repair, now expanded to include the development of reading corners that foster foundational literacy skills.
The event was honored by the presence of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who participated in a storytelling session with students. His involvement amplified the national significance of integrating dedicated reading spaces within schools and highlighted the educational value of storytelling in developing children’s imagination, confidence, and enthusiasm for learning.
Central to the program is the reimagining of classrooms not merely as instructional venues but as nurturing environments where books are readily accessible and reading is woven into daily school life. The Reading Nook: Read to Rise Program exemplifies this vision by promoting literacy as an integral component of school readiness.
The walkthrough of activities included a structured inspection of closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems and school safety facilities, a Partners Booth Walkthrough, the “Tara, Basa!” Showcase, Brigada Eskwela implementation, and the Reading Nook and Storytelling Activity. Collectively, these elements reflect DepEd NCR’s integrated strategy for school opening preparations—emphasizing safe infrastructure, multi-sectoral partnerships, active community participation, and targeted literacy support.
Key officials present at the event included President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.; DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara; Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Francis Tolentino; Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian; Assistant Secretaries Cilette Liboro Co and AP Bartolome; Director Jan Kevin M. Rivera; Dr. Meliton Zurbano, Schools Division Superintendent; and Dr. Floretta Quijano, Principal IV.
The local government of Navotas, represented by Mayor John Ray Tiangco, also provided robust support, demonstrating a strong collaborative partnership between DepEd and the city government in advancing learner welfare and school preparedness.
For Navotas City, the launch of the Reading Nook: Read to Rise Program transcended ceremonial function. It served as a definitive statement that literacy must be visible, accessible, and actively practiced in every classroom. With the integration of books, storytelling sessions, safe school facilities, and community backing, each Reading Nook becomes a modest yet transformative gateway to greater educational aspirations.
Through this regional launch, DepEd NCR reaffirms a crucial message: when children read, they rise. When communities unite, schools evolve into places where every learner can rise higher.
