The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 13 – Caraga conducted the Roll-out Training on the Localized National Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (NAP-PCVE) to one-hundred sixty-seven (167) barangays in the region in two (2) batches: June 27, 2023 for Batch 1 and June 29 for Batch 2 at Grand Palace Hotel, Butuan City.

In view of the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his administration’s drive against violent extremism, the Department has strategized the concept of empowering the barangay officials and the communities in the barangay level, as the first line of defense against violent extremism and insurgency.

Identified by the security sector in the region, particularly the Philippine National Police – Regional Office XIII – Caraga and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) of the 4^th Infantry Division, the select barangays from the Provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and the Highly-Urbanized City of Butuan were full ears during the Training which was conducted in a blended modality, through face-to-face and virtual participation.

The four hundred five (405) participants for the face-to-face training modality were Punong Barangays, Sangguniang Barangay Member (Chair on Peace and Order) and the ninety-eight (98) virtual participants were the other Sangguniang Barangay Members, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Members, Tanods, Brgy. Secretaries and other barangays functionaries. They were joined by DILG Field Offiers and the PCVE Focal Persons of municipalities, cities and provinces of the 167 barangays.

The training has capacitated the barangay officials and local functionaries on the how to prevent violent extremism and at the same time, counter violent extremist groups in their area. It has also intensified awareness and involvement of the local communities and develop their proactive attitude in ensuring peace and order and public safety of these barangays.

Experts from the Philippine National Police – Regional Office XIII (PRO XIII), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government served as Resource Persons during the activity.

This has been the third year since 2021 that DILG Caraga has conducted this capacity development (CapDev) to the target barangays identified to be affected by violent extremism and insurgency as part of the focus area of the localized National Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism. Further, it has been DILG’s mandate to promote peace and order and public safety in local government units in line with the mission of the Department to ensure peace and order, public safety and security, uphold excellence in local governance and enable resilient and inclusive communities. ## (LGOO VI Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa)