by Rene V. Carbayas
SUMISIP, Basilan – Young people here have committed themselves to working for peace and development as well as for environmental protection during the first Youth Leadership Summit held last August 22 to 24 at Tumajubong this town.
This historic event served as a venue for the youth to speak out their minds on the current issues affecting their town and express their take in the overall peace and development of Basilan.
On the first day, Nagdilaab Foundation Executive Director Miriam Suacito led participants to self-discovery sessions.
The Philippine Information Agency, meanwhile, handled the second day with sessions on leadership and Climate Change Advocacy activities. The PIA-ZBST-produced 30-minute video documentary was shown as basis for discussion. Through role playing the youth illustrated the impact of climate change on the community.
An Ustadz and a priest were also present to share views on inter-faith dialogue. The Municipal Social Welfare Office also presented government programs and interventions to address poverty. At the culmination activity, young people drew their vision of peace and development in their community.
Through the initiative of the 64th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Tumajubong, Sumisip, some 140 youth coming from 22 of its 29 barangays for the first Youth Leadership Summit at Tumajubong National High School.
Lt. Col. Melisan Raymund N. Recaido INF (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer of the 64IB,1ID expressed his gratitude to Mayor Gulam S. Hataman and all those who supported and helped make the event possible.
“Our aim of this activity is for the youth to develop their potentials to become responsible citizens of the community and that the youth will become our partner and [be] the catalyst of our pursuit for peace and development of Sumisip,” Recaido told participants.
The youth underwent three days life skills seminar on personhood, leadership, communication skills, peace and development, and Climate Change Resiliency Advocacy.
Mayor Hataman cited the efforts and role of the 64th IB Philippine Army in maintaining the peace of the municipality. He also lauded the contribution of the 104th Brigade in TARBIDCI cooperative when it faced certain problems.
In his message, Col. Rolando Joselito D. Bautista INF (GSC) PA, Commander, 104Bde, 1ID, PA recalled Gat Jose Rizal’s famous line that “the youth is the hope of the fatherland” as he posed the question whether the participants still look at themselves as they are expected to be.
“Do we still believe in this? Let us not forget this. Malaking challenge ito sa ating mga kabataan kung paano nila ipapakita at mapapatunayan na sila ay pag-asa ng bayan (This is a great challenge to our youth to prove that they are truly the hope of the fatherland),” Bautista said.
He said that this activity also sought to empower the youth to become leaders who, at the same time, mobilize their peers. He stressed that a leader who works with his/her team must show respect for the members to emulate, and that leaders must encourage collective decision so that there is a sense of ownership. “I urge the youth to lead by example,” he concluded.