Community at Work: SM Cares Joins Brigada Eskwela 2025

“We are proud to be part of Brigada Eskwela again this year. Education is the cornerstone of nation-building, and through volunteerism and shared responsibility, we aim to help create safe and welcoming learning spaces for students all across the country.” ~Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls

Driven by the spirit of bayanihan, SM employee volunteers join Brigada Eskwela to help public schools prepare for the new academic year—fostering cleaner, safer, and more welcoming spaces where students and communities can thrive.

From June 9 to June 13, 2025, SM Supermalls organized thousands of volunteers throughout its malls countrywide to assist in getting public schools ready for the new school year as part of the Department of Education's (DepEd) annual Brigada Eskwela campaign.  “Nagkakaisa para sa Handa at Ligtas na Pagbabalik Eskwela” was the subject of this year's Brigada Eskwela.

SM employees in action—offering their hands and hearts to help schools gear up for another inspiring year of learning.

SM North EDSA volunteers sweep hallways for Brigada Eskwela—helping create clean, focused spaces where students can learn and grow.

SM Supermalls, a longtime DepEd partner, took part in Brigada Eskwela 2025 once more as part of its larger dedication to inclusive community development, environmental sustainability, and youth empowerment.

Over a thousand employee-volunteers collaborated with DepEd, local government units (LGUs), school officials, and community members to implement the program across 75 SM Supermalls.  By assisting schools in creating secure, hygienic, and motivating learning environments, it enabled community volunteers to have a real influence.

An employee volunteer from SM Center Pasig organizes learning materials as part of Brigada Eskwela efforts to support public school readiness.

With every wipe and every gesture of care, SM City Novaliches volunteers bring classrooms closer to a brighter, cleaner start.

Demonstrating hands-on commitment, an employee volunteer from SM City Baliwag carefully stacks hollow blocks—contributing to stronger school infrastructure.

Embodying the spirit of bayanihan, SM City Sorsogon employee volunteers paint school chairs with dedication—bringing new life to classrooms through Brigada Eskwela.

Employee volunteers from SM Center Ormoc paint classrooms as part of Brigada Eskwela, helping create more inspiring learning spaces where students can thrive.

An SM City Mindpro volunteer helps clean the school grounds during Brigada Eskwela—making way for brighter days and better learning.

Employee-volunteers from SM performed a variety of preliminary tasks, including as disinfecting and cleaning the classroom, repainting the walls and learning areas, fixing tables and chairs, and turning over necessary educational supplies.  By working together, this yearly program improved school infrastructure while also fortifying community bonds and fostering a spirit of solidarity, pride, and shared accountability for education.

66 public schools nationwide benefited from the program, which helped guarantee that thousands of Filipino students would return to a hygienic, secure, and useful learning environment when classes resumed.

By sponsoring Brigada Eskwela 2025, SM Supermalls demonstrates its dedication to promoting inclusive, sustainable development in each community it serves and reaffirms its ongoing support and alignment with a number of UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Under SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility division of SM Supermalls, which supports programs for people with disabilities, senior citizens, the environment, women and breastfeeding mothers, children and youth, and bike-friendly initiatives, this initiative also contributes to SM's larger advocacy.

For more updates on SM’s social good initiatives, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares or follow @OfficialSMCares on social media.