CARRYING a small blackboard and other teaching materials, Julito Dewil walks for more than an hour to reach children in remote villages in the town of Glan, Sarangani province.

His trek takes him through muddy mountain trails before he can reach areas around Segafu Esgapo Integrated School.

Fondly known as “Julito” or “Teacher Juls,” Dewil, a member of the Manobo tribe, was the first teacher of sitio Lanao Kapanglao.

Because most children in their area do not know how to read and write, Dewil devotes two to three hours every weekend to teach them.

“Sa gabi niya ginagawa ang pagtuturo sa mga magulang doon sa liwanag ng solar lamps at flashlight sa loob ng simbahan. Walang pinipili si Teacher Julito, basta interesadong matuto, handa siyang magturo,” the Department of Education office in Sarangani said.

“Naglalakad si Teacher Julito sa maputik na daanan ng mahigit isa at kalahating oras upang marating ang mga kabahayan sa sitio Lanao Bon, purok Dugeng, purok Kaluga, at purok Yap, kung saan tinitipon niya ang mga bata upang turuang magbasa,” it added.

Dewil said he aims to teach more students once he passes the licensure examinations for teachers and be given the opportunity to work at DepEd.

His weekend teaching is part of Brigada Pagbasa that aims to help learners read ahead of the opening of classes in September.