by Naty Itay-Genzola

TABUK, Kalinga (9 October) -- Improvement in the quality of life thru livelihood projects and skills training are sure paths of graduating from poverty and getting freedom from the clutches of insurgency.

This was the rallying message of infantry men assigned in far-flung detachments under the area of responsibility of the 21st Infantry Battalion, 501st Army Brigade when conducting skills training among no read, no write villagers.

As government is continuing peace talks with the MILF in the south, government troops are also busy teaching villagers in this part of the north how to cope up with life's difficulties by teaching them skills to raise family income.

Recently, a skills training on hammock making was conducted by the 21st IB Civil-Military Operation (CMO) to Alternative Learning Patrol System (ALPS) and Alternative Learning System (ALS) students who are out-of-school youths (OSYs) in Barangay Bantay, this municipality.

SMS Lino L Balimbin (INF) PA, Bn Sergeant Major who was the guest speaker during the opening program elaborated on the benefits of gaining technical skills which is to help OSYs earn additional income for their families. He emphasized that a simple knowledge in livelihood is very essential in terms of sourcing out money to acquire the basic needs.

Engaging in a livelihood project will also keep OSYs productive and keep them away from being recruited to the New People's Army.