The Isabela State University (ISU)โ€“Cauayan Campus and Barangay San Fermin formally sealed their partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), solidifying shared efforts to strengthen barangay justice, cybersecurity awareness, and disaster preparedness under Project SWAT: Smart and Witty Lupon Tagapamayapa, Armed with Formidable Talents in Serving the Community, December 12.

The agreement was originally endorsed and signed by Prof. Dr. Marisol S. Foronda, Executive Officer of ISU Cauayan Campus. For Barangay San Fermin, the MOA was approved by Hon. Victor Jay Dy Jr., Barangay Captain, and represented during the signing ceremony by Ms. Alfreda C. Abis, Barangay Secretary.

The ceremonial signing was led by Dr. Harvey Alejandro, Dean of the College of Criminal Justice Education; Dr. May SG. Ramones, Project Leader of Project SWAT; and Ms. Arlene Lapitan, College Extension Coordinator. The activity also received support from Dr. Nancy G. De Leon, Campus Director for Extension and Training Services.

Project SWAT features three integrated components aimed at advancing barangay governance and community resilience:

โ€ข Project PADRE (Providing Alternative Dispute Resolution Education), which strengthens mediation and conciliation competencies aligned with the Katarungang Pambarangay Law;

โ€ข Project ALERTO, which enhances cybersecurity literacy and promotes responsible digital practices among barangay officials;

โ€ข Project SAGIP, which equips officials and volunteers with essential skills in first aid, health awareness, and disaster preparedness with assistance from the ISU Young Volunteers Club.

Under the MOA, ISU commits to delivering structured training modules, providing learning materials, conducting workshops and simulations, and implementing project monitoring and evaluation. Barangay San Fermin, in turn, will ensure the participation of Lupon Tagapamayapa members and barangay officials, prepare venues and logistical support, and help document the programโ€™s outcomes.

The three-year partnership seeks to reinforce local conflict resolution mechanisms, foster responsible digital citizenship, and enhance the overall readiness of barangay officials to respond to emerging community challenges.

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