Philippine Army, DepEd conduct Youth Leadership Summit in Calapan

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Pebrero 3 (PIA) – The 203rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army
(PA) together with the Department of Education (DepEd) recently conducted a three-day Youth
Leadership Summit in Nag-Iba National High School, Calapan City.

According to Capt. Damaso T. Enano, Civil Military Operations Officer, the Youth Leadership Summit
(YLS) aims to develop the youth to become responsible individuals and to empower the youth as
advocates and conduits of peace and development. Likewise, he said it would develop the character
as well as leadership potential of the youth and to train each participant to respond productively and
positively to any situation and to serve as role models for other youths.

The hundred sixty nine participants of the summit were composed of third year and fourth year high
school students of the said school. The activity was spearheaded by Capt. Sunday Ann R. Padaboc (FS)
PA, Commanding Officer of Charlie Company, 2nd Civil-Military Operations Battalion and Col. Johnny
L. Macanas, INF (GSC) PA, Commander, Task Force Sandugo.

Collectively, YSL hopes to rekindle, develop and enhance teamwork and camaraderie. It also seeks to
transform the youth into “peace builders” and “catalysts for development” and enhance the youth’s
awareness of their integral role in nation-building by instilling in them the spirit of patriotism,
nationalism and social responsibility.

Further, Enano said, “it would develop a critical understanding of themselves and their
responsibilities, and encourage them to recommend and implement programs in close partnership
with Local Government Units and the Department of Education in Region IV-B.”

Moreover, Brigadier General Bobby B. Calleja, Commander of 203rd Brigade, emphasized in his
statement during the closing ceremony that “the conduct of Youth Leadership Summit is very
significant for the development of youth into responsible members of the society and to become
active in Nation Building.”

Calleja also added, “the Army’s commitment in these endeavors will continue the vision to attain for a
safe, secure, and peaceful community sustainable for development.” (LBR/DTE/LTC/PIA-4B)

Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City—Acknowledging the need to unite youth organizations in sustaining
the momentum of its peace efforts, the Armed Forces of the Philippines will gather six hundred youth
leaders to participate in the first national level Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) that will be held in
Davao City from October 28 to October 31.

Anchored with the theme “Networking Youth Leaders for Solidarity,” the activity aims to convene the
Youth for Peace members, who are already graduates of regional leadership trainings, to form the
National Youth for Peace Movement that will promote a culture of peace, enhance leadership
qualities, and strengthen nationalism among the participants.

The AFP is teaming up with partner organizations, including the National Youth Commission (NYC),
Department of Education, Department of Interior and Local Government, National Commission on
Muslim Filipinos and the Philippine National Police to raise at the national level the regional youth
development efforts already being conducted by the Unified Commands of the AFP.

To enhance values orientation, sports skills, and the leadership qualities of the participants, there will
be a series of workshops and lectures on use of illegal drugs, values, and human rights among other
topics that will support the commitment of the AFP in youth development. The participants will come
from the five Unified Area Commands that facilitate youth development programs in their areas.
The Commander of AFP Eastern Mindanao Command LtGen Jorge V Segovia is also expected to attend
the opening ceremony on October 27, along with the Guest of Honor and Speaker, Hon Leon Flores III,
Chairman of NYC.

Nature Appreciation and Conservation

Prior to the actual summit tomorrow, participants from the Northern Luzon Command and the
National Capital Region were given a chance to appreciate nature and know the importance of
conserving it. Eighty YLS delegates from NOLCOM and 24 delegates from NCR that arrived in Davao
last Friday were introduced to the Island Garden City of Samal.

While there, they visited the Monfort Bat Colony that holds the Guinness World Record for most bats
in conservation and were also able to plant mangrove seedlings in the shores of Samal Island.

“As part of the NYLS, we were able to the our part and learn the importance of our roles, as youth and
future of our nation, in helping preserve nature and our environment,” YPMN lead convener and
university student leader Vince Alvarez said.

First National Level Youth Summit

This is the first time Youth Leaders from different parts of the country will convene to take the YLS
into the national level. In the past, the AFP through its field units has been conducting youth
leadership summits in their respective areas of responsibilities.

Just last September, the 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army concluded the first YLS for 117
students in Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City. The three-day summit sought to instill the level of
awareness on issues that affects the youths in National High School of Hialitan, Trinidad.

“By uniting various youth organizations, we are ensuring the continuity of our programs that
contribute to the AFP’s overall mission and harbor support for our government’s national
development agenda,” AFP Chief of Staff General Jessie D Dellosa said.

“The eagerness of our youth to participate in positive national conventions such as the Youth
Leadership Summit clearly manifests the commitment of our “young movers” to contribute to our
country’s enduring efforts for lasting peace and sustainable development,” Gen Dellosa added.