Magsaysay LGU holds “Kalinga sa Bayan” supports the fight against criminalities & terrorism

By Jun Enriquez

 

The Youth participants formed human peace sign during evening peacebuilding session.

 Magsaysay, Lanao del Norte - Kalinga  sa Bayan was conceptualized by the 15^th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army some years ago to educate the children and the youth on peacebuilding and train them to become responsible citizens in the country. The “Kalinga sa Bayan ng Magsaysay” was organized and initiated by the 15^th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army headed by its Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Ericson V. Rosana, and 2^nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade Philippine Army, headed by Brigadier General William A. Alunday, AFP, Commander in partnership with the Local Government of Magsaysay, Lanao del Norte headed by Mayor Asizah S. Omar. 

The three-day activity was held on August 25-27, 2017 at the Municipal Auditorium, Barangay Poblacion this town. There were 240 children and youth participants during the three-day event coming from the 24 Barangays of the municipality. Highlights of activities were concert for peace spearheaded by the 15 Infantry Battalion (IB) Molave Warrior Band. facilitators training, youth empowerment, bayanihan race, bihis bayani, kalinga night, symbolic human peace sign, peace rally, tree planting, signing of pledge of support for peace, football clinic, dance workshop; gift giving activity and paraisong pambata. The facilitators training, youth empowerment, bayanihan race, bihis bayani, kalinga night and symbolic human peace sign.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.