CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – Misamis Oriental Governor, Hon. Peter S. Unabia highlighted the pivotal partnership between the 4th Infantry Division and the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) as it continues to promote youth empowerment during the 3rd 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 September 8-10, 2023.
Hon. Peter M. Unabia, the Governor of Misamis Oriental, as the Keynote Speaker during the closing ceremony, stated that while the summit has effectively enhanced the youth’s cognitive capacity and improved their confidence in performing and understanding their roles in their respective communities, the cooperation and partnership between the 4ID and PLGU MisOr has become pivotal and benchmarked in molding the youth to become responsible and well-informed individuals.
A total of 100 youth from the municipalities of Lagonglong and Villanueva in the province of Misamis Oriental participated in the summit facilitated by the LGU – MisOr through the Provincial Youth Development Office (PYDO) and the Propelling Our Inherited Nation Through Youth Inc. (POINTY) supported by the troops of 4ID, said YLS aimed to empower the youth as future leaders of the country.
The participants undergone series of interactive lectures and workshops and team-building activities that enhanced their understanding on Basic Life Support, Teenage Pregnancy, Mental Health Awareness, Drug Prevention, Leadership Principles, Skills and Development Training, and Social Media Policies. Moreover, the 3-day activity also featured an awareness campaign against the deceptive recruitment of the communist terrorist group (CTG).
Meanwhile, Col. Leo E. Bongosia, the Chief of the Office of the Division Inspector General, who represented Major General Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II, the 4ID Commander, during the closing ceremony underscored the goal of the activity which will transform the youth as catalyst of change. “Our aim is crystal clear: to shield our youth from the deception of extremist ideologies, to sow the seeds of patriotism and volunteerism in their hearts, and to ignite the flames of youth leadership that shall guide them for a brighter future.”
Col. Bongosia also encouraged the youth to endeavour change as they perform crucial roles in the political and social development of the country in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in October 2023.
It can be recalled that 100 youth from the municipalities of Salay, Villanueva, and Jasaan, Misamis Oriental participated the 1st leg of the PYLS on August 18-20, 2023, while 95 youth from Binuangan and Villanueva, MisOr participated in the 2nd leg of the same summit on August 25-27, 2023.
