by Rene V. Carbayas
ISABELA CITY, Basilan May 31 (PIA) – The City
Government of Lamitan through the office of the City Social Welfare and
Development (CSWD) has recently conducted a three-day 1st Youth Leadership
Summit from May 28 to 30 in Lamitan City.
Lamitan City Information Officer Felipe M.
Fernando said that the activity intends to inculcate positive values and
attitudes to the youth and enhance their leadership potentials, hoping that the
knowledge and skills acquired during the summit will increase youth support to
the government effort on the ongoing campaign for peace, progress and development.
The three-day activity is supported by the 32nd
Infantry Battalion, 19th Special Forces Company, Lamitan Tourism
Council, Department of Education, Jaycee International, Child Fund Philippines,
National Civil Defense, Department of the Interior and Local Government, City
Health Office and the Malungay Fire Volunteer.
In his message, Lamitan City Mayor Roderick
H. Furigay stressed the need of the youth to develop into becoming good leaders
for the future of Lamitan.
“This will give a clear idea of where you
want to go and simultaneously having idea of how difficult to get there. You
are here so we can mold and harness your full potentials to become excellent
leaders with proper guidance and motivation,” the mayor said.
The mayor added that he prefers to see the
“youth as strength”, saying with strong conviction that while others may see them
vulnerable and indifferent, he recognized and believed in the potential of the
young generation as a dynamic sector of society capable of bringing
transformative change and dismantling culture of violence and apathy.
He also recognized the role of the city
government in nurturing the future leaders through supporting youth development-related
activities such as this summit.
Meanwhile, Lamitan City Tourism Council Chairperson
Rosita U. Furigay said that the youth Summit intends “to make a journey to your
[youth] dream with the spirit of oneness, so that together you will achieve, to
step forward and play your role in nation building.”
Activities during the two-day training
include lectures on the ill effects of illegal drugs, community service, peace
and development incorporating outdoor games, team building, sharing and
cleanliness/sanitation, which would help hone and develop the knowledge,
attitude and character of the youth as potential leaders.
One of the highlights of the activity is the
environmental awareness advocacy as facilitated by Philippine Information
Agency-ZAMBASULTA Infocenter Manager Felipo David G. Malcampo. He urged the
youth to protect their future and challenge them to do their share in protecting
and preserving the natural environment by participating and or initiating
tree-planting activities in their areas.