More than 200 students have been enrolled in the Army Literacy Patrol System (ALPS) after it was formally launched by the 60th Infantry Battalion in Asuncion, Davao del Norte on Saturday, June 15.
1Lt. Amadeuz VJ Celestial, the Civil-Military Operations officer of 60th IB, said the program targets former rebels and their families, Cafgu Active Auxiliaries and their dependents, and interested out-of-school indigenous peoples from Asuncion, Kapalong, and San Isidro of Davao del Norte, and Laak of Davao de Oro.
In his remarks, Maj. Jo Anthony Lee Lalas, 60IB executive officer, emphasized the importance of education not only in countering the communist insurgency but in ensuring the continuous socio-economic development of conflict areas.
Meanwhile, Nelson Bansag Jr., the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System coordinator, challenged the new learners to take advantage of the opportunity given to them.
As the 60th IB prepares to utilize the ALPS program to sustain their community-building efforts to end communist insurgency in Asuncion, Kapalong, San Isidro, and Laak. The local municipal governments also committed to support the Army’s initiative.
In addition to the regular ALPS curriculum, the program will be embedded with practical activities such as educational tours, cultural exchange sessions, and skill-enhancement training.
