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OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH: THE CASE OF LANAO DEL SUR  - An Appeal for Training and Enabling of the OSY in the particular Focused Group of BPAT as a Sustainable Instruments for the “ZERO-OSY” Goal

Submitted by Dr. Camal A. Cali Marawi City, June 2, 2014

Imperative for the OSY was affirmed by the launching of ABOT ALAM in the province. Abot Alam is a national agenda of the government to eliminate OSY by the year 2016 and this will be made possible by the concerted efforts of all agencies concerned in partnership with the private sector who have signed in a Memorandum of Agreement.

Early this month, amendment to the Memorandum Circular No. 2013-18 has been issued by the DILG to define the implementation of the Barangay Targeting System for OSY under “Abot Alam.” This has mandated the preparation and submission of the list of all OSY ages 15-30 years old from the barangay to a nationwide database of “Abot Alam” at the National Youth Commission’s headquarters. Listing and submission in the Memo are delegated to the Barangay Secretary forwarded by email to the NYC, if not, to the chapter president of the Liga ng mga Barangay in the municipality.

Social Setting and the Key Sector

The social setting in Lanao del Sur differs much from the mainstream society more than any province in the ARMM. Prejudice is common among political leaders and so as the people serving in the local government units. Political prejudice are aggravated by the circumstances of “rido” or family feud and traditional practices cannot not vouch positive turn-outs of any legal mandate circulating from the government and its agencies. In such condition the matter of compliance to a policy will most likely reduce into superficial reporting of facts and information not consistent from the ground.

In this view, listing and submission of OSY for the purpose of funding interventions should be supported by mechanism initiated outside of political bounds. In Lanao del Sur, it is better to have the task performed by an independent entity with ability to implement and of direct collaboration with the functional sectors in the barangay. The particular organization of Barangay Tanod, now known as Barangay Peace Action Team (BPAT) and Barangay Health Workers (BHW) are most appropriate sectors to tap. These groups are well-entrenched in every nook and cranny of the barangay all throughout the country. With the right methodology and enabling process of the volunteers, the works for OSY can better served and done in a sustainable periodical basis as may required by Management Information System of this project.

Turning Threats into Opportunities

The Philippine National Police and the Local Government Units are directly accountable to the establishment and operation of the organization of BPAT. According to the Law, at least 15 BPAT members shall be organized to form the teams of Barangay Tanod to perform 24 hours duty by 3 shifting. They are entitled to P60.00 per head on duty and they are playing very important role in the barangay, directly aiding the Chairman, in the daily life of a barangay. Unfortunately, provision of the law does not include budgetary appropriation for the training of BPAT.

BPAT in Lanao del Sur are activated since the holding of the Palarong ARMAA in the city of Marawi three months ago. They are usually equipped with uniform, tools and equipment for law enforcement including a patrol vehicle and some are even issued with guns and automatic weapons. For 1,158 total barangays all over the province, BPAT members would reach a total number of 17,370. For Marawi City alone, there are more than 1,500 BPAT members with some barangays employing above the minimum requirement of 15 each barangay.

Imperative for Training and Regulation

Recruitment for BPAT member rests at the decision of Barangay Chairman and nothing in the law ensures standard qualification for recruiting volunteers. Hence BPAT are mainly composed of OSY and without proper training, this most potential armed group entrusted a community as their area of responsibility could pose a great danger. As they are empowered by law, they could easily fall into abusing that power, if not, ridiculed by any arrogant and most knowledgeable members of the community.

A training program eliminating the problem of OSY in Lanao del Sur must address first the group of BPAT. Standard regulation in the training and operations of the BPAT will turn all threats into opportunities, not only to professionalize their career as volunteers, but also for them to be able to render effectively with their duty of protecting the community and as well as helping a sustainable identification, processing and the ultimate placement of the of OSY for a socio-economic productivity.