By Jun Enriquez
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| The Youth participants formed human peace sign during evening peacebuilding session. |
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The tree
planting and signing of pledge of support for peace was participated by all the
pillars of local government unit present during the activity, youths,
stakeholders, military, PNP, parents, teachers, and populace of the municipality.
The seedlings were planted was “kape” from Kauswagan Department of Agriculture.
During
the culmination program, Mr. Jaime Y. Yurong, School Principal of Magsaysay
Central School in his welcome message said “Kalinga sa Bayan” will enhance the
youth to become a catalyst of peace in Magsaysay municipality and future
leaders of the country.
Magsaysay
Mayor, Hon. Asizah S. Omar said the Local government of Magsaysay supports the thrust
of the President to eradicate illegal drugs and terrorism. She said there is a
need for cooperation from all sectors to fight against criminalities. There are
300 surrenderees drug dependents in Magsaysay and they were given skills
training through Alternative learning System (ALS) and Technical Skills
Training Development Authority (TESDA). The 1st batch was already graduated
from the training. The purpose of the training is to make the surrendered drug
dependents could stand on their own feet to do away on illegal drugs and seek decent
livelihood.
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| At left, Hon. Mayor Asizah S. Omar |
Mayor
Omar cited the incident in Marawi City was badly devastated by war because
local terrorist Maute group wanted to reign the place. She urged the people not
to allow terrorism in any of the Barangays in Magsaysay. That’s why there is
curfew hour from 8:00 PM to 4:00 AM, is to maintain peace and order in the area
including the prevention of illegal drug trade activities. The Martial law
before is different nowadays. The Military especially in Magsaysay came to
educate peace among the children and youth, and help the fight against illegal
drugs with the Philippine National Police (PNP) supported by the Magsaysay LGU.
Lanao
del Norte Vice Governor Ma. Cristina N. Atay in her message, the “Kalinga sa Bayan”
is a big help to our children and grow in positive attitude. She expressed her
expectations after the activity the participants will share their learning to
others in their respective barangay and impart it on their own lives, to capture
the good attitude and left the bad attitude behind.
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| At left, Vice Gov. Atay with LTC Rosana planted a tree |
In
closing Lt. Col. Ericson V. Rosana read the message of Brigadier General
William A. Alunday who was not around due to conflict of schedules. In his
message Gen. Alunday reflected his own experienced during his younger days, said
the “Kalinga sa Bayan” program is beneficial to the people of Lanao del Norte
particularly in Magsaysay. He Quoted and expounded the thoughts of Dr. Jose
Rizal “The Youth is the Hope of the Nation”, he challenged the youth on how to
become the future of the nation. The youth is the hope of the nation because it
has the inherent of good health, strength, mental ability and full of dreams.
It was observed that many of the youth today did not able to go to school due
to high incidence of poverty. There is also high rate of criminalities because some
of the youth did not follow the right path to achieve their dreams.
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| Standing: 1Lt Cesarjin M. Manalon, lectures on security |
Alunday
said Illegal drug is one of the causes of criminalities, violence that will
result to poverty. Illegal drug is a big threat to any person because it will
cause damage to the body especially the brain. The person who is dependent on
illegal drug will act like zombie or living dead. If the person has no more
money to buy illegal drugs they will result to kidnapping, robbery, carnapping
and killings just to get money to sustain their vices. If no one will use
illegal drugs no person will benefit from illegal drug trade.
Alunday
said there are group of people fight against the government also conducted
disinformation campaign to the community to portray the government negatively
and portray themselves as heroes so that they can convince the youth to
integrate in their ranks citing the absence of development. He said development
will only come when the government will implement infrastructure projects to
generate employment, develop the economy and overcome poverty. As a youth you must
arrest the good opportunities in life that the government will offer. It is
best to enjoy life in a peaceful and develop community. Finally Alunday said the
fulfillment of dreams is the answer of hope of the nation.
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| Teambuilding activity |
The
impressions from the youth and children participants expressed their sentiments
when they saw soldiers before they thought that there is war coming to town and
they were afraid on it. As they attended the “Kalinga sa Bayan” they were happy and
thankful because they learned many things during the trainings and exposures
especially the customs and traditions of other culture. The participants gained
more friends Muslims and Christians alike.
The
children were given slippers donated by the Philippine National Police (PNP)
headed by PSUPT Roland C. Batolan, Deputy Provincial Director for
Administration, Lanao del Norte Police Provincial office and Gawad Kalinga (GK)
headed by Engr. Jake Gerona. The Jollibee sent their Mascot for the children’s
game; the hamburger for children was donated by the LGU of Magsaysay and the
school supplies was donated by the fraternal Order of Eagles headed by Geovani
Hera, Governor, Northern Mindanao Region III. Other stakeholders include the provincial
Government of Lanao del Norte, DepEd, ABC, DILG, DOH, DSWD, PDEA, Youth for Development,
among others. With reports from Bam Gemina, Sita Asequia
& 1Lt Cesarjin M. Manalon (MI) PA. Photos by Bam Gemina &15IB news
team.
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