DAVAO DEL NORTE, May 12 (PIA) – The Davao del Norte Indigenous People (IP) Youth and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) are now participating in the implementation of Executive No. 70 ‘Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC)’.
During a recent Kapihan sa DavNor, IP Youth President, Datu Casey Jay Dansigan revealed that he has received a letter from the National Task Force-ELCAC tasking him to be the facilitating authority in regards to programs for IP youth surrenderees.
“Mao na pud na ang tutokan namo karon. Diha na nato ihatag ang atoang mga benepisyo gikan sa goberno nga i-abot nato sa ilaha (That’s what we will focus on now. We will reach out to them the services of the government),” he said.
Dansigan explained that the IP youths who were recruited by the NPA were those who did not receive the assistances of the government. So by extending government service and assistance to the IP youth, it will help change for the better their perspective about the government.
He also called on to the IP youth in the far-flung areas to be wary and vigilant of the groups that are trying to recruit as they may lead to a rebellious path.
Similarly, SK Federation Chairperson/Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Member, Hon. Emerson Dave Silutan, said that the SKs in the province have started to conduct Youth Leadership Summit (YSL), an activity spearheaded by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in their respective LGUs.
Most recently, Silutan had a speaking engagement for a youth seminar in Braulio E. Dujali as there had been issues reported regarding NPA’s penetration in the municipality.
“Mao na ang atong mga kasundalohan, atong mga peacemakers, our SK, our community leaders, nagkahi-usa sa pag disseminate sa maayong balita, sa pag encourage sa ilaha nga magpabilin diri sa gobyerno (That is why the army, the peacemakers, our SK, our community leaders have united in disseminating good news, and in encouraging to the youth to remain in the government’s folds),” he said.
Although he has received reports of NPA recruitments having occurred throughout the province, so far, Silutan is positive as he cited the youth audience’s participative energy during the Youth Leadership Summits in the municipalities.
Aside from YSL with the AFP, he cited SK’s involvement in Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terrorismo (KKDaT), which is an organization led by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
He is thankful that SK has many partners to tap to ensure the success of their peace building efforts as part of their ‘9 centers of participation’. (Jan Vincent Leuterio/PIA-XI)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
0 Comments