SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — The Joint Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (JRTF) conducted 19,167 peace initiatives this year to combat youth misinformation and boost community awareness, officials said.
The JRTF reported March 18 the initiatives included forums, community dialogues and social media campaigns aimed at educating young people on governance, peace-building and national security.
Edsel Batalla, director of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) in Region 1, stressed the importance of proactive information campaigns in countering misleading narratives targeting youth.
“Through these initiatives, we ensure that young people receive accurate and factual information, equipping them with the knowledge to resist misinformation and actively participate in peace-building efforts,” Batalla said.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Education (DepEd) integrated anti-insurgency awareness into school curricula. Workshops, leadership training and engagement sessions with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) were also conducted to reinforce security education among students.
Al Gerald S. Barde, CHED Region 1 Education Supervisor II, highlighted the role of academic institutions in guiding students toward responsible civic engagement.
“Our scholarship programs and peace education initiatives provide the youth with opportunities to develop their leadership skills while steering them away from conflict-related activities,” Barde said.
The JRTF-1 ELCAC said the initiatives have increased youth participation in governance and community development programs. Many participants pledged to apply their knowledge in their communities and collaborate with government agencies to sustain peace efforts.
Officials said they plan to expand the advocacy campaigns, aiming to maintain Region 1’s status as an insurgency-free region and a model for sustainable peace and development. (PIA Region 1)
