ESPERANZA, Agusan del Sur - Forty-nine Indigenous People Out of School Youths (IP-OSY) completed their 30-day Mobile Computer Literacy (MCL) held in Esperanza National High School, Barangay Poblacion, Esperanza town, Agusan del Sur province.
Higaonon and Manobo tribal leaders witnessed the graduation rites,together with local officials and military commanders in the province on Tuesday.
The training was the first to be launched in the province of Agusan del Sur and was made possible through the initiative of 26th Infantry (Ever Onward) Battalion (26th IB), with the support of the local government unit (LGU) of Esperanza town and in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and the Department of Education (DepEd).
It aims to provide the appropriate and basic knowledge and skills for the IP-OSY from far flung areas to operate a computer which is very essential in this generation where technology is already part of daily life.
Local officials expressed their gratitude to the command group of the 26th IB, 402ndBrigade, 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division and other line agencies of the government for initiating the MCL.
”Thanks to the armed forces and to all supporting agencies for the enormous effort in the implementation of government programs particularly the MCL training for the IPs that will greatly contribute to their knowledge and development,” Esperanza town mayor Leonida P. Manpatilan said.
“Rest assured, the local government will always look for rooms for more projects for its constituents,” Manpatilan added.
Lt. Col. Reynald Romel A. Goce, 26th IB commander, commended the undertakings of LGU Esperanza and emphasized the importance of bringing the government closer to the far flung areas especially the IPs.
“This activity connotes the importance of winning the trust and confidence of the people, providing what the locals need to grow and foster in this rising modern community,” he said.
“It is one amongst the benefits of having Executive Order Number 70 “Whole of a Nation Approach” where the concerned agencies work hand in hand in providing services and the sociological needs of the people especially in CTG (communist terrorist group) vulnerable areas," the 26th IB commander added.
The CTGs have been exploiting the minds of the youth for their communist cause discrediting the government efforts in attaining peace and development in our country, 402nd Infantry Brigade Deputy Brigade Commander Col. Cerilo C. Balaoro said.
"As one of the vulnerable sectors in our society, the young minds of the youth are being exploited and poisoned by the deceptions and propaganda of these terrorists. They become NPA combatants fighting in the jungle for their futile struggle," he added.
"You are here to be trained and to be more educated. This training will prepare and transform you to become productive citizens of the community,” he said.
“The government will continue its efforts in supporting the needs of the youth and the IP communities, and education is the solution, not armed revolution. As advocates of peace, we are now peace partners,” he said.
“Let's protect the future of our nation by protecting the youth sector against the ambitions of the communist-terrorists. The youth must be inside the classrooms studying and learning for a brighter future and become useful citizens of our country for they are the future leaders and hope of the coming generations," Balaoro said.