By Pamela Mariz Geminiano
FLORA, Apayao
-- The literacy coordinating council of the Dept. of Education has
conferred the Coffee Table Book Award to the Flora town government for training
out-of-school youth who are also children in conflict with the law to become
entrepreneurs and good citizens.
Flora, Apayao was the lone entry of the Cordillera in
the national literacy council’s search, with its program called “Panangus-usi”,
an Isnag term which means “to change”.
“It’s our dream to transform these children to become
better individuals. Being the government, we have to address the problem of
children getting involved in illegal activities and later against getting involved
in illegal drugs," Flora Mayor Rodolfo said.
Juan said his town government's
"Panangus-usi" program was born in 2014, when the number of OSY, who
are also in conflict with the law, was noted to be on the rise.
The program includes giving skills training and
capabilities to the children to distract them from illegal activities and vices
-- and allow them to earn.
One of the skills provided was how to weave a doormat
using old mosquito nets. They were also able to produce and sell bags using the
same material, which is being sold to employees of the local government.
Juan added that
also included in the program is spiritual awareness, which builds a positive
behavior among the minors.
“Spiritual development makes a person stay away from
illegal activities. It prevents them from committing infractions and offenses,”
he said.
This includes lecture, counseling, stress management,
moral recovery, and group activities to develop their interpersonal skills.
“It also enhances the entrepreneur capability of these
CICL, for them to augment their family income,” Juan said, adding that Flora
has been allotting funding for the program.
"We have already allocated P200,000 to sustain
the program, and of course, we will see to it that what we have started will
continue to develop," he said.
The mayor said the program for the OSY-CICL was
expanded to include young drug surrenderers in the town and beneficiaries of
the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), when President Rodrigo
Duterte assumed office in 2016.
“To curb problems on illegal drugs and in order to
attain a peaceful municipality to live, to work, and to do business, we used
the same program for the drug surrenderers,” he said. "This is to make
them realize that after getting involved in crimes or illegal activities, they
still have to change and even transform to become better citizens."
Juan said the town government's close coordination
with DepEd, other government agencies, and stakeholders was what made Flora get
the award.
“It is our priority to achieve a healthy community for
the young generation, to provide good service, easy access to income-generating
activities, and of course, to education," he said.
He also disclosed the town government's plan to
organize a local council to help sustain and monitor the program.
"Of course, we cannot do this alone, we will be
needing all the help that we can get from our constituents," he said.
Aside from Apayao,
the other recipients of the "Coffee Table Book" award were “ALS
Eskwela sa Bawat Brigada Dala ay Pag-asa” of the National Capital Region;
“LIPAD: Levelling-up local literacy program” of Region 1 (Ilocos); “Be Juanas
(One of Us) Towards A Strong Community” of Region 2 (Cagayan Valley); “May
Forever sa ALS” of Region 3 (Central Luzon); “Journey of a Loving Heart” of
Region 4-A (Calabarzon); "Layag Cuyo" of Region 4-B (Mimaropa);
“Bangkarunungan: Yellow Boat of Hope now sails in Caramoan Peninsula” of Region
5 (Bicol); “Developmental Union of Yearnings and Actions for the Needy” of
Region 6 (Western Visayas); “ALS Single Mother, Nangangarap na aangat... ALS
ang katapat” of Region 7 (Central Visayas); “Project Tablet” of Region 8
(Eastern Visayas); “ALS brings hope behind bars” of Region 9 (Zamboanga
Peninsula); and “Hope in the midst, Caraga: No longer a Tamla” of Region 12
(Soccsksargen).
The winners received a plaque and their stories will
be featured by the DepEd in an upcoming reading material. -- PNA
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