FEU IAS Dean Diego Jose R. Abad with PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) top officials. Photo from PNP AKG
Far Eastern University’s Institute of Arts and Sciences was recognized by the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) during its 12th Founding Anniversary last Feb. 27 at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center.
The FEU IAS received a plaque of appreciation for conducting capacity building seminars to AKG personnel on stress management, public speaking, and basic journalism.
“As the WHO defines it, “Mental Health […] is a basic human right. And it is crucial to personal, community, and socio-economic development.” Our dedicated team of Psychologists at the Department of Psychology strongly believe in this and in doing their part in furthering psychoeducation and mental health awareness for the community and our partners. This is precisely why our partnership with PNP-AKG exists, and hope to continue for years to come,” said IAS Dean Diego Jose R. Abad.
The seminars were conducted as part of a memorandum of agreement between FEU IAS and PNP-AKG over a period of several months, which focused primarily on stress management. The seminars were administered by members of the Department of Psychology, led by its department chairs Dr. Myra Landagan and Dr. Eda Ochangco, and the Director of the FEU IAS Healing Spaces Clinic, Dr. Lulette Matammu.
“Since police personnel are the ones involved in making cities safe, it is important that police personnel have capacity-building seminars and workshops. It includes updating their skills as PNP personnel but also seminar workshops that will help them with self-care in order for them to be more effective as safe keepers of the communities,” said Dr. Landagan, expounding on the relevance in SDG 11: sustainable cities and communities.
In his speech, PNP Chief Police Gen. Benjamin C. Acorda, Jr. addressed the audience and the awardees, who included those from the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc., the Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order, the Anti-Money Laundering Council, the Bureau of Immigration, the Korean National Police Agency, the Australian Federal Police, and the New Zealand Police, among many others.
Acorda thanked them for their willingness to work together with the PNP in the fight against kidnapping and other forms of crime.
FEU was represented by Department of Communication Prof. Liana M. Barro, also of the AKG Advisory Group.
