By: Emmanuel D. Taghoy
TUNGAWAN, Zamboanga Sibugay – Some 300 young people from the different barangays here attended the 1st Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) last May 6-9 spearheaded by the 6th Special Forces Battalion of the Philippine Army (PA).
The four-day YLS, which was attended by community youth leaders, students and out-of-school youths aged 13 to 21 years old, was anchored on the theme, “Ang Pag-amuma sa Kabatan-unan Maoy Kaugmaon sa Katilingban” (Caring for the youth is for the community’s future).
The preliminaries of the program, orientation and discussions were conducted at the Risen Christ Gymnasium at Barangay Poblacion while the coastal cleanup and static display activities were conducted at the coastal barangay of Looc Labuan.
A cultural show highlighting the said activity was also conducted at Tungawan National High School in Barangay Libertad.
In his welcome message, Lt.Col. Rosendo C. Abad Jr., battalion commander of the 6th SF, told the participants about the good character values they would learn from the training.
“With this activity, we will be able to teach the young people how to establish their goals and to keep them away from the wrong groups, thus, they will have a good future,” he said.
He pointed out that the activity also aimed to teach the youth about the importance of peace and the virtue of patriotism.
“The initiative is a step towards lasting peace that will result in a progressive economy which will start in the barangays and towns.”
Municipal Mayor Randy A. Climaco, on the other hand, said: “We must become advocates of peace. We need to help one another to make a change.”
He emphasized that the YLS would transform the youth into a better and capable individuals of the community.
“The youth are our future, therefore, we should invest in them for a better tomorrow,” he said.
The activity was conducted in collaboration with the Local Government of Tungawan, some national government agencies, the 102nd Infantry ‘Igsoon’ Brigade, non-government organizations, civic organizations, sectoral groups, religious groups, business groups, the media, and several volunteers.
