CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) MIMAROPA is intensifying its efforts to equip barangay officials with the necessary skills and knowledge to prevent and counter violent extremism (PCVE) within their communities.
Engineer Lou Adrian S. Lopez from the DILG Oriental Mindoro, during thenPhilippine Information Agency’s Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, emphasized the agency’s commitment to support and coordinate with local barangay officials, including Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, in implementing initiatives that strengthen their capacity to address extremist activities.
“Nitong nakaraang taon nagsimula ang DILG na hikayatin ang ating barangays officials and our SKs to collaborate with us. Itong program, ‘yung tinatawag nating PCVE [kung saan] tinutulungan natin sila to identify and to understand bakit ba meron extremism and how to avoid extremism,” he said.
Lopez said that through the PCVE, the DILG is assisting barangay officials in their planning efforts to engage more youth in government-related initiatives.
“Yung mga SK natin tinutulungan natin sila with their plannings na makahikayat ng marami pang mga kabataan na tumulong din sa gobyerno,” he said.
Lopez also cited the positive role that young people played during the pandemic and how this momentum continues today.
“Nakita natin yung kagandahan nito noong panahon pa ng pandemic like yung mga community pantries, nag-excel talaga yung mga kabataan dito, and then after the pandemic nagpatuloy pa din yung ating mga kabataan sa mga ganitong programa. Sa part ng DILG, we support them with their plannings through their local youth development councils,” he said.
Through targeted training and workshops, Lopez said that the barangay officials are being equipped with the tools to identify early warning signs of radicalization and take proactive measures to protect their communities.
“So we conduct these trainings po para ma-enhance yung kanilang understanding sa mga threats ng violent extremism and we provide them with skills na kailangan to prevent extremism in their jurisdictions,” Lopez said.
Meanwhile, 203rd Infantry Brigade Deputy Commander Col. Eric D. Guevarra reassured the public not to be alarmed by reports and concerns of various students on social media of soldiers seen around the main campus of Mindoro State University in Victoria town in February.
“Huwag po kayo maalarma lalo na ang mga estudyante sa presence ng kasundaluhan dahil ito ay regular lang [dahil] ito ay pre-emptive routine ng mga sundalo sa areas na ‘yan,” Guevarra cleared.
He also urged the teachers and parents of the youth to closely monitor their children and stay close to them to prevent them from being influenced by terrorist groups and ensure they do not disown them.
The DILG and the Philippine Army believe that local leaders can better deter extremist ideologies and foster a sense of unity and peace by building stronger community networks. (AS/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)
