CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – In support to 4ID’s “Education for All” peace campaign, the Kilos Kabataan Livelihood Foundation Incorporated (KKLFI) donated fifty (50) digital tablets for the Indigenous Peoples (IP) youth beneficiaries on Thursday afternoon, October 7, 2021.
In collaboration with the KKLFI, the 4ID has been advocating ‘Education for All’ as a peace campaign to address the education’s challenges and gaps, particularly on the online education of the less fortunate youths, especially in these time of the pandemic.
13 Tablets were immediately distributed to the selected IP youth beneficiaries identified by 8th Infantry Battalion in Bukidnon province, while the 4ID is still finalizing the identification of other beneficiaries of the remaining tablets.
The symbolic turn-over was held at the 4ID Headquarters in Camp Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City. The 4ID was represented by Colonel Michele B Anayron, the Assistant Division Commander for Retirees and Reservist Affairs, together with Lt Col Jenny De Mesa, the OIC, G7, and received the tablets from Ms. Kristin Bangot, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the KKLFI.
Ms. Bangot said that the endeavor is part of their “Education for All’’ advocacy which they extend to communities that are considered as geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas with hopes to bridge educational gaps in those parts of the country.
“We want to give aid to students who want to study but are hampered with difficulty due to lack of digital gadgets for online education. We intend to share quality education and equal opportunities for everybody particularly in digital education especially that we have this pandemic”, Ms. Bangot said.
One of the selected beneficiaries who was present during the said activity is Joshua Villasco, a street kid from Cagayan de Oro City, who with tears of joy was grateful for the opportunity given to him. “Pasalamat gyud ko sa Kilos Kabataan ug sa mga kasundaluhan kay maski walang wala ako, gihatagan ko nilag paagi nga mahuman ko sa akung pag-eskwela”. (I am really thankful to Kilos Kabataan and the AFP because even though I have nothing, they (KKLFI and AFP) helped me and gave me an opportunity to finish my education.)
With this, the 4ID expressed its utmost gratitude for the digital devices that are beneficial to the education of the underprivileged youths and will significantly give a great impact to its peace campaign in the AOR. Education has always been strongly regarded as a pillar of national development and a primary avenue for social and economic success.
“This collaboration was initiated by our Commander, Maj Gen Brawner Jr. This is very timely for the needy youths in the AOR during this pandemic as these gadgets will impact their lives. This is in line with the Commander’s intent to promote education as one way in countering radicalization of youths in violent extremism”, Col Anayron said.
In a statement, Maj Gen Romeo S Brawner Jr, Commander of the 4ID, said that the partnership with KKLFI is a big boost to the 4ID’s campaign against violent extremism as it helps contribute in stopping youth radicalism in Caraga and Northern Mindanao regions.
“We must promote education for all to address radicalization. The CPP-NPA-NDF radicalized youths to become violent extremists such as the bearing of firearms and fight the government. It must be stopped as it poisons the young innocent minds of our youth. We urge other stakeholders to partner with us in this endeavor and jointly denounce the Communist Terrorist Group’s youth radicalism. Thru the “education for all” peace campaign, we can significantly address violent extremism. Edukasyon hindi radikalisasyon”, MGen Brawner Jr said.
