36 Barlig junior police train on survival in jungle

By Dionie Chungalan

BARLIG. Mountain Province -- Thirty six Kadaclan National High School (KNHS) students trained Sept. 27-28 at Sayococna woodlands located in nearby Banao, Natonin on "basic life support."

This beautiful jungle is now becoming a tourist attraction because of its water bodies and fish ponds, aside from having a wide area for pitching tents.

The area has creeks ideal for baths and is crowded by domestic and wild banana plants.

Here, students were taught discipline, camaraderie, leadership behavioral transformation, survival, rescue techniques, first-aid and calamity preparedness.

According to Brenda Fiangrayan, teacher class adviser - the junior police concept began few years back at Kadaclan to curb juvenile delinquency among students until it became a dual program with Barlig Police Station.

"The idea just sprouted out of my mind as guidance counsellor to organize a patterned students' police structure to assist in instilling good manners and right conduct for the school populace," Fiangrayan said.

In an interview with local cop Lalaine Almeda, she said a scout jamborette was held at Chatol, a compound of Eastern Bontoc National Agricultural and Vocational High School (EBNAVHS) where a gang of boys were unruly but by applying the concept of students' Junior Police internal rules, they became good boys.

"When we tried to apply a series of psychological strategies modeled to that of police system the positive impact was tremendous that challenged the Barlig Police Station to move in sharing the program with students," Almeda said.

Barlig PNP trainers were: Santiago Dayag, Lalaine Almeda, Roger Anaban, Mharcloyd Culpita, Nicodemus Estino and Khatzumi Cofin.

Support staff came from Disaster Management Office, Emergency Rescue Team, Bureau of Fire, Rural Health Unit personnel: Eric Chan, Alexander Cotaran, Abner Ayoga, Jecony Machuli, Basilio Apil, Rebo Bagano, Sheena Nais-od, Elington Jules Campana, Aeya Jane Cofin, Dolor Mad-eo, and Jim Kinomon.

Jose Agagon, Natonin Municipal Mayor delegated Municipal Councilor/Spassky Manayos to deliver his message. "Mayor Agagon," Manayos said, "is ever-willing to come to this important training being a retired police officer himself but was hampered by hectic schedule of visitors, clearing national road on obstructions, like building encroachment and illegal parking lots."

Banao Punong Barangay Francisco Manarop said he was delighted that his village was chosen as training site.

"The program will encourage students to join this Junior Police Organization for love of country and fellowmen. I wish other schools in Natonin shall adopt this tangible example to organize their students for more training in the future."