The intermittent weather in Pangasinan has led to the temporary suspension of the annual Brigada Eskwela activities. 

Teachers at Anolid Elementary School in Mangaldan were busy on July 25, 2024, not with enrollment, but with saving classroom materials from floodwaters.

Despite the cancellation of Brigada Eskwela, many teachers came to the school to secure the materials by stacking chairs and raising items to prevent them from being damaged by floodwaters. 

“Yearly kaming binabaha kaya para sigurado, tinataas na namin [ang mga gamit],” Marvin Abrio, a teacher, said.

“Mga books saka modules saka gamit sa classroom [ang tinataas namin], kapag napasukan ng tubig ang room, [kasi] kapag nabasa, masasayang lang,” Nancy, another teacher, added.

The teachers are also dealing with leaks from the classroom ceiling.

The annual flooding of Anolid Elementary School remains a significant challenge, and the teachers are praying for the rains to stop to ensure a smooth opening of classes on July 29.

The school is located next to Payas Creek, which has overflowed due to the heavy rains.

“Maya’t-maya ay ma-monitor din namin ‘yung diversion at mahiram ‘yung gamit ng DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) na backhoe para malinisan kung ano ang bumabara,”  Marissa Honsayco, Chairwoman of Barangay Anolid, said.

The barangay council is patrolling and monitoring low-lying areas for possible flooding.