LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – The Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) officially launched the Police Community Academy (PCA) on January 25 in Ilocos Norte, a significant step towards fostering stronger community ties and empowering the youth.
The ceremonial launching, which was held at the Centennial Arena in this city, was attended by about 1,000 out-of-school youth, indigent students, Philippine National Police dependents, and criminology students.
Under this initiative, the PRO 1 will partner with local schools, universities, and other stakeholders for the conduct and series of training programs centered on fostering leadership skills, good citizenship, and patriotism in the youth from ages 12-22 years old.
The PCA curriculum covers topics such as civic education, leadership development, and community involvement.
The program follows a two-phase structure: the academic phase, which focuses on lectures and theoretical learning, and a tactical phase, which involves practical demonstrations and community engagement.
This approach aims to help participants gain the knowledge and skills needed for active civic participation.
PLTGEN Jovencio Badua Jr., PRO-1’s deputy director for administration, reiterated that the project’s goal is to equip the youth with knowledge and skills to become leaders.
“This project is a testament to the importance of youth participation in the progress of our country. The PCA is not just a project, but it is an investment for our youth and our development,” he said.
Additionally, Carla Noelle Reyes, the PCA ambassador for the province, urged her peers to fully utilize their talents in contributing to the nation’s progress.
“Let us use our talents to broaden our knowledge and to share it with others. We have potential in ourselves to contribute to the progress of our country in our own ways,” Reyes said.
Moreover, Stephanie Moreen Yate, a high school student from Batac City, expressed her excitement that the initiative was finally launched in the province.
“As a youth who wants to see peace and order in our province, I am so excited that the PCA is finally launched here because through this, we will be able to get training and expand our knowledge in not only community policing but also enhance our leadership skills,” she said.
Yate added that she will be enrolling in the PCA when it opens in her hometown.
A PCA was initially piloted in Bauang, La Union, in 2018, spearheaded by Daisy Sayangda, who was then president of the PRO1 Regional Advisory Council, and PLTCOL Ma. Leonora Teresa Dela Cruz, officer-in-charge of the Regional Comptrollership at PRO1.
The initiative was inspired by earlier programs from the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) in Tayug, Pangasinan, such as the Student Crime Prevention Council (SCPC) and the Crime Prevention Leadership Development (CRIPRELD).
Now, the PCA has launched in the four provinces of the Ilocos Region.
Through the PCA, local police hope to encourage the younger generation to uphold peace and order to ensure a safe and secure community. (AMB/EJFG, PIA Ilocos Norte)
