Youth Leadership Program Key to Peace and Development

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City – The 8^th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army in conjunction with the DepEd-Alternative Learning System, Holy Child Parish Youth Ministry and Villaba Vocational High School (VVHS) conducted a three-day Youth Leadership Summit from June 1-3, 2012  at Villaba Vocational High School, Villaba, Leyte.

            The YLS is a joint program of the military, LGU and other stakeholders which aims to develop the leadership skills of the youth leaders; raise the level of awareness on their roles, responsibilities, powers and functions as organization officers; improve their knowledge, skills and concepts on governance, health, environment; advocate and promote peace and become productive youth leaders in their respective communities.

            The activity was also sponsored by Mr. Janby Earl Yu, co-founder of Michelle Mulet-Yu Foundation which fully supports the program of the youth. Mr Yu expressed his sincere gratitude to the 19^th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Joel Alejandro Nacnac for the success of the youth activity. 100 youth coming from the Holy Child Parish Youth Ministry and out of school youth from Villaba, Leyte participated in the 3-day event.

            The 3-day activity focused on lectures about leadership; environmental protection and conservation; and Crime and Drug awareness. Aside from the lectures provided, a series of team building activities were done in order to develop the skills, camaraderie and strategy of the youth in surmounting all obstacles and challenges. To conclude the event, a project planning workshop was made focusing on the needed projects to be implemented in their respective community. 

            In his statement BGen Gerardo T Layug AFP, Commander, 8ID, PA said “YLS is part of the priority programs of 8ID in line with the AFP’s ‘Bayanihan’ efforts because we believe that educating our youth leaders is very vital to the success of the government’s peace and development initiatives.”

            The YLS in Villaba was the second major activity facilitated by the 19^th Infantry Battalion in the Province of Leyte. Last 18 – 20 May 2012, 19IB together with the LGU of Carigara conducted the first ever YLS in Leyte.