NYC: Bring back CAT in high school

National Youth Commission Chairman Undersecretary Ronald Gian Carlo Cardema has proposed the revival of the Citizens Army Training in high school level, "to build up nationalism and nation-building."

In a webinar conducted by the Samar-based 802nd Infantry Brigade in collaboration with Integrated Communications Operations Center of the National Task Force to End Local Communists Armed Conflict, Cardema said the revival of CAT will be an instrument to block the continuing recruitment activities of high school students to join the New People's Army.

"Ibalik natin at gawing mandatory ang CAT, pati Boy at Girl Scouts gawin ding mandatory to build up nationalism and nation building (among Filipino youth)," Cardema said during the webinar on "Youth Transformation & Leadership".

An avid supporter of the reimplementation of the Reserve Officers Training Course, Cardema said the recruitment activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front have destroyed not only the right to education of every Filipino student but also denied them a bright future with their families.

"What is revolting is that these CPP-NPA-NDF recruiters, these legal front organizations, have radicalized our young students to embrace the armed struggle, wage the violent overthrow of our government," Cardema said in Tagalog.

As part of NYC's program to counter youth and student radicalization, Cardema said they will be launching in the coming days the "National Youth Convention" at the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City.

"This will be a big event for our youth and we're expecting thousands of newly elected Sangguniang Kabataan officials to participate. We also involve the PMA cadets and many more organizations from national and local like the NTF-ELCAC and its partners at the local level," he said,

Cardema said NYC is facing an uphill battle to fight radicalization in high schools, colleges, universities and vulnerable communities across the country.

"We have to push back harder despite our meager budget. Hopefully, we will be able to mobilize the more than 400,000 newly elected SK officials to take the cudgels of fighting all kinds of recruitment by the CTGs [communist terrorist groups]. It's not enough o say "ang kabataan ay pagasa ng bayan", it doesn't end there, actually. We've to teach and motivate our youth to fight the CPP-NPA-NDF," he said.

At the same webinar, Cardema said her sister, Duterte Youth Partylist Representative Dixie Mae Cardema, has prepared a bill that would penalize recruiters and those who are financially aiding the CPP-NPA-NDF.

"If this bill is approved by Congress and becomes law, school administrators, teachers and even elected government officials recruiting and financially aiding the cause of the CPP-NPA-NDF would be penalized," he said.

Cardema vowed to heighten the efforts of NYC's campaign to help the government de-radicalize colleges and universities to prevent students from joining the NPA.

"We will not allow these CTGs to replenish the NPA in the countryside. From 89 guerrilla fronts, there are only 13 at present. Of the number, 12 are weakened, and only 1 active remaining. Let's help our AFP and PNP do our share to ultimately eliminate the CPP-NP-NDF," he said.

The NYC recently unveiled the Philippine Youth Development Plan 2023-2028: "Kabataan: Kaagapay sa Kaunlaran."

The plan is designed to be a comprehensive roadmap for empowering the Filipino youth to become active participants in the country's social, economic and political development.

The PYDP 2023-2028 is aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. 's Socio-Economic Agenda and AmBisyon Natin 2040, and with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, recognizing the youth as key agents of change and that their active participation is essential to achieve the SDGs.

"The PYDP 2023-2028 serves as a resounding testament to NYC's commitment to investing in the youth, who are the key to unlocking the Philippines' potential," said NYC Commissioner representing Luzon and PYDP Committee Chairperson, Assistant Secretary Reena Vivienne Pineda.

The PYDP 2023-2028 was developed in consultation with youth leaders, experts and stakeholders from government, civil society and the private sector. The plan also benefited from the expertise of the UP Social Action Research and Development Foundation, which provided technical assistance in its formulation.

"The PYDP 2023-2028 is not just a plan; it is a call to action. We call on all stakeholders to join us in implementing this plan and ensuring that it delivers on its promise of empowering Filipino youth to become the agents of change and the driving force behind our nation's continued progress," Pineda added.