KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- Vice President Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio emphasized the protection of children and youth against terrorists and radical groups in her visit to Koronadal City Tuesday. 

She also urged parents to "force" their children to go to school. 

VP Sara was guest of honor during the 83rd Founding Anniversary and 23rd Hinugyaw Festival of the City of Koronadal. 

In her message, the vice president pointed out that although much economic progress and delivery of social services  have been achieved by the local government, children, whose role in sustained development is essential, remain vulnerable to continued recruitment and exploitation by insurgents, thus, needing protection. 

"While our government armed forces are working hard to weed out these groups and keep us safe, we must ensure that we do our share to protect our peace and order and keep our community free from fear and violence," she said. 

"Education is a liberating force. I cannot overemphasize to all the adults here in Koronadal, we must force our children to go to school," she continued. 

In this regard, VP Sara, announced that the Department of Education  is 'implementing a stronger child protection mechanism, another layer of defense against the recruitment and exploitation of our children."

"DepEd is also working hard to design a national peace curriculum, our long-term solution to insurgency and conflict in our country. Our goal is to equip our children with concrete transformation skills and strength and discernment to resist recruitment into radical and terror groups," she said. 

An educated workforce with 21st Century skills, she emphasized further, would redound to sustained progress. 

Koronadal City's 83rd Foundation Anniversary and 23rd Hinugyaw Festival celebration  started on January 5 and will culminate on January 15 with the awarding of the winners of the annual Barangay Empowerment Program (BEP), an initiative of Mayor Eliordo Ogena that recognizes the overall achievement of the city's  27 barangay LGUs. 

Other highlights include wreath-laying at the monument of the 17 martyrs and the monument of  heroes Engr. Albert Luis Morrow and his aide Santiago Odi, Handurawan short film screening, food strip, indigenous peoples day, street dancing pageantry and cultural float parade, and various sports events, 

In 2020 and 2021, Koronadal City's foundation anniversary commemorations were held in virtual platforms. (PIA-SOCCSKSARGEN)