‘Peacemaker’ brigade offers free computer literacy course, empowers IPs

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 25): ‘Peacemaker’ brigade offers free computer literacy course, empowers IPs

Some 52 Manobo and Pulanguihon “Lumad" (Indigenous People) students will soon benefit from the Philippine Army’s basic course on Computer Literacy for free.

Col. Antonio Bautista Jr, commanding officer of the 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion, who facilitated Friday’s training launch event, said the army’s 4th Infantry Division, through its 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade, provided a mobile computer laboratory in order to reach the Lumad communities.

“We teamed up with Mayor Gregorio Gue of Quezon local government unit, Technical Education & Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Department of Education—with their Alternative Learning System (ALS) teachers—in order to reach out those who are in most remote areas,” he said.

The training module is good for 45 days with BUSCO Academy (Bukidnon Sugar Milling Company), as host school, in Barangay Butong, Quezon, Bukidnon,

Once completed, students will have opportunities to find jobs and can further enhance their skills for searching better job opportunities when they enrol in TESDA’s computer courses under the agency’s scholarship program.

In an interview, a 37-year-old Manobo tribe enrollee, Gregoria Layo-an, of Poblacion Quezon, Bukidnon said: “I am very grateful to 8IB, the 403rd Brigade, and to everyone who are with us today for giving me this opportunity to learn how to use a computer. Honestly, I feel anxious because this is going to be my first time to use a computer unit. Nevertheless, I feel so happy that this is going to happen now. I’m hopeful that I will succeed."

In a statement, Col. Eric C. Vinoya, 403rd Infantry Brigade Commander, assured the Lumad community of the army’s commitment to help uphold indigenous people’s rights through capacity development programs in cooperation with LGUs and other government agencies.

"Your 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade will remain dedicated in facilitating capacity development programs for our Lumad brothers such as this Computer Literacy Training. Our aim is to resolve local issues that breed conflict particularly in Lumad communities. We identify these issues through our Bayanihan Team Activities. One of the common issues that we identified is capacity development. This Computer Literacy Training is actually a testament of the true intentions of our troops who are deployed in various communities here in Bukidnon and are conducting Bayanihan Team Activities. Contrary to what other people say, our Bayanihan Teams are not there to sow conflict and intimidate people, as it is aimed at resolving local issues," Vinoya stressed.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1501485333464/-peacemaker-brigade-offers-free-computer-literacy-course-empowers-ips