BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte -- As part of its contribution to the Whole-of-Nation Approach in curbing communist insurgency, the Department of Information and Communications Technology - Region 13 (DICT-13), in partnership with the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB) and with the support of the Province of Agusan del Norte, recently conducted a Digital Literacy Program, which benefited 48 Former Rebels (FRs) at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium, Agusan del Norte.
DICT-13 implements the Technology Empowerment for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development (Tech4ED) to empower communities and to help end the local communist armed conflict. The project provides ICT (Information and Communications Technology) services to unserved and underserved communities, where the cluster has already established 219 Tech4ED centers and has conducted series of digital literacy training therein.
The activity is part of the numerous benefits made available to the FRs under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) of the government which will prepare them in their integration into the mainstream society. The training ensures capacity building, enhancement of abilities and personality development on the part of the FRs. Making them more productive and more equipped through the new skills and knowledge acquired in the course of the training.
The 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion, expresses its gratitude to the various government agencies that provided the needs of the FRs in the conduct of their technical and vocational training.
With great contentment, the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion also recognizes the Province of Agusan del Norte and other line government agencies for their unending support to the FRs and for constantly encouraging them to work harder for a better life. The skills training surely helps the FRs to acquire the necessary competencies, which will serve as their most valuable weapon wherever they go.
Meanwhile, Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba, Governor of the Province of Agusan del Norte expressed her gladness on the willingness of the FRs to undergo the said skills training. The province made it possible to mobilize the equipment of the Mobile Computer Laboratory (MCL) van, that are all functional and ready to accommodate the FRs and the youth in Caraga Region.
“Our administration is committed to assisting you in realizing your full potential as productive members of the community you live. I have high hopes that this training, along with the other trainings that will be coming up in the near future, will assist you in becoming financially self-sufficient and productive thinkers, which will not only improve the conditions of your families, but also the conditions of your communities and our government as a whole. Our government is committed to its goal of putting an end to the insurgency. The emphasis is placed on presenting you with a variety of options; therefore, you should make the most of this circumstance. Your goal should be to become better and improved individuals through participation in this kind of trainings. Your demeanor will serve as a role model for the other members of the armed group, so that they will also respond to the call of the government for peace," Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba said.
Through this, the FRs will be given access to digital literacy and this will integrate ICT in their reformation program before they go back as productive members of the society. Not only will the partner agencies deploy instructors to teach FRs but also provide the necessary equipment such as desktop computers, printers, routers, and the like. (23rdInfantry Battalion, Philippine Army/PIA Agusan del Norte)
