MANKAYAN, Benguet – SPO4 Artemio Binbinen and PO1 Venus Codim-o advocated military occupations to Grade 12 learners of Mankayan National High School at the school’s conference hall, Aurora Street, Poblacion, Mankayan on August 23.
One hundred fifty-seven learners participated, 45 from the General Academic Strand (GAS), 47 from the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS), 29 from the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and 36 from the Technical, Vocational and Livelihood (TVL).
They were oriented on the qualifications and documentary requirements of the said professions. Lateral movement, getting in the profession after finishing non-military courses, was discussed in addition to linear movement.
The advocacy was concluded through answering of queries on compensation and promotion, among others. Binbinen encouraged the participants by reiterating Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God.” Rhimas Ladip, a teacher at Mankayan National High School, planned to revive the Citizenship Advancement Training among Junior High learners as a response.
Lately the country has shown high demand for military services because of the threat to national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest and right to self-determination. Senator Panfilo Lacson filed Senate Bill 1734, or the National Defense Act of 2018, to strengthen the country’s defense system against insurgency and terrorism which includes a two-year mandatory military service to be rendered by natural-born or naturalized Filipinos.
By JARDSON S. ONIO