THE DEPARTMENT of Education in Region 12 has strengthened the education of Indigenous Peoples to help counter the influence of the New People’s Army.

Dr. Carlito Rocafort, DepEd-Region 12 director, said that it is important to provide IPs with the right education to ensure that learners will not be influenced by the communists.

The new education program aims to promote the rights of IPs and their communities.

It also seeks to preserve their identity and culture.

“That is DepEd’s contribution (in the efforts to stop) the NPA infiltration in our far-flung communities,” he said.

The program is supported by the local government and private groups in 11 IP schools with Blaan tribal residents.

The DepEd said that 180 of the 320 public schools in the province serve over 60,000 IP students.

According to Rocafort, the IPEd program’s implementation in the region has mostly aided in the reduction of NPA influence in specific sections of North Cotabato.