Leadership summit empowers youth in Lanao del Norte

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 16): Leadership summit empowers youth in Lanao del Norte

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte — Some 70 youth leaders from the three municipalities this province, joined the 3-day activity, dubbed Youth Leadership Summit 2015 which ran from April 13 to 15, 2015 at the Mindanao Civic Center stadium, Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

Capping the theme, “Shaping the Youth through Leadership and Advocacy,” the Youth Leadership Summit is an event of the 41st Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, in partnership with the Y4D-Lanao del Norte (Youth for Development) and the Provincial Population Office (PPO) in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte, the Department of Education and vast support of JCI Panguil Bay Chapter, as one of the stakeholders.

Youth participants, who were in their secondary and tertiary level, were all from the towns of Lala, Salvador and Kapatagan.

Ananette B. Daniel, PPO head, said the event aimed at promoting nationalism, patriotism, civic consciousness, value formation, youth empowerment and peace building among different youth organizations through the Bayanihan concept, the bedrock and the heart of all Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) activities.

We have invited speakers/competent personalities from the academe, religious group, local government unit, national government agencies, non-government organizations and AFP personnel from this unit, thereby giving the participants advocacy presentations that would enhance their capabilities, awaken their mind set and would contribute an impact on their lives, added Daniel.

While Lordleos Lavv L. Ladonga, PPO staff and Y4D coordinator said the YLS program core group has lined up activities entailed to strengthen the participants’ faith; build their character; develop their social and leadership skills; and to aware them in matters that would help them become good citizen of our country.

On the first day, a Self-Awareness Session was introduced by Y4D coordinator. The day’s activity also includes HIV-AIDS Awareness by the Red Cross representative.

The participants experienced on the second day the Paugnat sa Kusog (Zumba) and morning shower led by personnel from 41st IB, joined by the facilitators of the day.

Spiritual engagement and a talk on Living Effectively with Parents added gesture to the participants' interests, a 'quality time' needed for a family to engage.

Other presentations for the day were on Drug Abuse Prevention for the Youth and other drug-related situationer in the region and in the province per see, handled by Rosemarie A. Bajao of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-10), coupled with IEC Drug Awareness campaign (Information Education Communication).  Lecture on Advocacy on Human Rights Laws concerning Youth & Women followed. Prevention of Criminality and Drug Addiction was discussed by the Philippine National Police representative, this province.

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Lanao del Norte Information Center representative discussed on Climate Change Adaptation, a campaign for the Youth to be advocates on environment preservation and climate change resiliency.

Likewise, Environmental Care and Global Warming were shared by Forester Ben-Ali Decampong, chief, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office-Department of Environment and Natural Resource (PENRO-DENR), Lanao del Norte Office.

Part of the summit was the audio visual presentation of AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP Bayanihan) by 2Lt Virgil Thomas A. Visabella.

IPSP highlights the importance of increased involvement of stakeholders, the national and local government agencies, non-government entities and the entire citizenry in addressing peace and security concerns. It gives equal emphasis to combat and non-combat dimensions of military operations.

On the other hand, the IPSP departs from the old parameters and explores non-combat parameters of success in addressing the country’s peace and security problem. Under the said Plan, the AFP’s desired end state is that “capabilities of internal armed threats are reduced to a level that they can no longer threaten the stability of the state and civil authorities can ensure the safety and well-being of the Filipino people,” Visabella explained.

Static Display of armor assets and Mechanized Infantry Squad Capability Demonstration at the MCC sports complex ground, and photo opportunity of the participants with the armored facility, highlighted the second day activity.

On the last day was the creation of Youth Organization and the induction of set of officers, and were made to formulate the Youth Action Plan, their role in nation-building, as what has been pointed out by Capt Junmar M. Tutoy, civil military officer, 41st IB 5ID, PA.

Moreover, the participants couldn’t forget the boodlefight-lunch prepared for them by the 41st IB.

Vice Governor Cristina Atay graced the closing program, and enthusiastically applauded the participation of the youth in this 3-day activity of which they prioritized to join this event instead of taking vacation after having been through lately with their studies as the school year ended in March.

The activity earned lasting and positive impressions from the youth sector and to other stakeholders. Indeed, the participants learned the knowledge that would somehow make them become a tremendous force in nation and peace building.

The 41st played a significant role in terms of community relations within their area of operation. It’s one of the many opportunities that the unit was able to work hand in hand with other stakeholders showing generous concern over the civilian populace particularly the youth sector.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1511429162878/leadership-summit-empowers-youth-in-lanao-del-norte