CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro – The Provincial Local Government Unit of Misamis Oriental, in partnership and collaboration with the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, conducted the first leg of the Provincial Youth Leadership Summit (PYLS) 2023 held at the 10th Regional Community Defense Group (10RCDG) Headquarters, Camp Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City on August 18-20, 2023.
A total of 100 youth from the municipalities of Salay, Villanueva and Jasaan in Misamis Oriental attended the 3-day summit, which is the 1st leg of two PYLS that will be conducted this month. Said activity was facilitated by PLGU – MisOr through the Provincial Youth Development Office and the Propelling Our Inherited Nation Through Youth Inc. (POINTY) supported by the troops of the 402nd Infantry Brigade, 58th Infantry Battalion, 16th Infantry Battalion, 4th Civil-Military Operation Battalion, and 10RCDG.
The Youth Leadership Summit is part of Misamis Oriental Governor Hon. Peter “Pedro” M. Unabia’s thrust and strategic direction in governing the province of Misamis Oriental highlighted in the acronym “PAGLAUM” wherein the second letter “A” stands for Aggressive Programs for Youth Welfare Development. This gave emphasis on youth empowerment through education, skills development, capabilities enhancement, and leadership. The summit aimed to provide a unique learning experience and foster an environment of camaraderie, networking, and collaboration among the young attendees and equip them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence necessary for active participation in nation-building.
Through a series of comprehensive lectures, interactive workshops, and team-building activities, participants were able to learn and boost their understanding of the topic of Basic Life Support, Teenage Pregnancy, Mental Health Awareness, Drug Prevention, Leadership Principles, Skills and Development Training, and Social Media Policies from several subject matter experts. Moreover, a Social Night dubbed “Gabi ng Kultura” was also conducted where participants were able to exhibit their talents as well as promote teamwork, solidarity, and the spirit of camaraderie.
Furthermore, lecturers and educators from 4ID arm the youth with the knowledge to resist deceptive tactics employed by the communist terrorist group (CTG) aiming to recruit them. Recognizing the importance of safeguarding the vulnerable demographic from falling prey to such tactics, the summit included sessions dedicated to raising awareness about the deceptive methods utilized by communist terrorists.
During the culmination program, Governor Unabia confirmed the youth graduates of this year’s Youth Leadership Summit 2023 and conveyed his appreciation for their active participation during the activity, and said that he hoped that the participants would share their acquired experiences and learnings from the summit to their fellow youth in their communities.
Meanwhile, the 4ID Commander, Major General Jose Maria R Cuerpo II, expressed his utmost gratitude to PLGU – MisOr and Governor Unabia for their unwavering support and partnership that has evolved even stronger over the years. Likewise, he assured the Governor and the youth that 4ID will continue its commitment to developing young individuals as future leaders of the next generations.
“Let us remember that the future of our country lies in the hands of our youth. It is our collective duty, as mentors, educators, and guardians, to empower and equip the youth with knowledge and inspire them to become the leaders of our nation’s needs,” MGen Cuerpo II remarked.
