No less than Bicol Police Regional Director BGen. Andre P. Dizon led the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding last week formally establishing the “Kabataan on the Move” project which aims to mobilize the Catanduanes youth in advocating against illegal drugs, terrorism and criminality.
At the Capitol Dome, he was joined by Catanduanes Police Provincial Director PCol. Edward D. Quijano, TESDA Provincial Director Arcangel T. Rodriguez, Sangguniang Kabataan Provincial Federation President and ex-officio PBM Fred Benedict T. Gianan, Liga ng mga Barangay (LNB) Provincial Chapter President and ex-officio PBM Tito V. Villamor, Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo (KKDAT) Catanduanes Chapter President Andrew G. Talion and Kabataan Kontra Kriminalidad (KKK) Catanduanes Chapter President Christian G. Sta. Ines who signed the MOU on behalf of their respective agencies and organizations.
An initiative of RD Dizon, the project will be led by KKDAT and KKK advocates to spearhead leadership volunteerism workshops, and outreach programs in schools and communities, engaging both in-school and out-of-school youth.
It will also establish and strengthen chapters in barangays, schools, and communities to lead the various activities.
Under the memorandum, the project stakeholders agree to align all programs and initiatives with the Peace and Order Public Safety (POPS) Plan of the Catanduanes police to ensure proper funding and strategic direction while youth-centered activities will be integrated into the broader community safety framework.
Livelihood development will also be promoted through a collaboration with TESDA for trainings and skills development, with emphasis on entrepreneurial skills and sustainable practices that will help alleviate poverty.
Awareness campaigns will be implemented in schools, barangays, and communities to educate the public on drug prevention, anti-terrorism, and community safety.
The involvement of barangay officials, school administrators, and community leaders would be essential in the implementation of activities, as they will provide venues, logistics, and technical assistance while ensuring proper resource allocation for effective program delivery.
More than 200 KKDAT and KKK officers as well as Muslim youth and out-of-school youth from various parts of the province participated in the activity that included a forum discussing vital laws for the protection of the youth, including the anti-robbery and anti-rheft laws, Anti-Rape Law of 1997 (RA8553), Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act (RA 7610) and Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (RA 9344).