BORONGAN CITY (PIA) -- With the aim to develop and enhance their leadership skills and to be able to participate in government initiatives, some 36 youths successfully graduated from the 3rd Taft Youth Leadership Summit 2023 with the theme, “Youth Empowerment: The Building Block of a Nation,” held at Taft National High School (Covered Court), Brgy. 05 Poblacion, Taft, Eastern Samar on July 17-21.

Spearheaded by the Local Youth Development Office together with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office in partnership with the 78th Infantry (Warrior) Battalion, the five-day Youth Leadership Summit was participated in by junior high school, senior high school, and college level students from the different barangays of Taft, Eastern Samar.

Aside from developing the necessary leadership skills, the youth participants were also encouraged to join government initiatives concerning youth sector participation such as environmental protection, peacekeeping, good governance, social responsibility, and as well as ensuring positive character and personality development.

“We should never be discouraged by whatever is happening around us because everything in this world, everything we experience has a purpose. Instead, the best we should do is to brace ourselves with courage and bear in mind that we can. As always,” said Taft Mayor Gina Ty, in her message during the closing ceremony of the activity.

One of the highlights of the Summit was the sharing of a former rebel’s personal experience way back when he was still a member and blinded by the wrong ideology of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTGs). He gave some insights about the deceptive recruitment of the CPP-NPA Terrorists especially that the youth are the vulnerable targets in recruitment of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTGs).

Various team-building activities were held to promote and develop unity among every youth-participants. Moreover, different topics were lectured such as Role of Youth in Nation Building: 9 Centers of Participation, Elaboration of Executive Oder No. 70 also known as “A whole-of-Nation Approach”; First Aid and Basic Life Support Lecture and Exercises; Mental Health; Basic Entrepreneurship; Infusing Leadership to Combat Youth Delinquency; VAWC, Rape, Trafficking, OSEC, and Child Abuse. (MMP/VTG/PIA E. Samar with reports from 78th IB PA)