CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte -- The 29th Infantry (Matatag) Battalion in partnership with the Local Government of Unit of Kitcharao and different line government agencies have molded another batch of young leaders through a 3-Day Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) Kitcharao 2022 held at the Municipal Agricultural Manpower Development Center, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte from  July 9 to 11, 2022. 

The YLS aims to enhance the leadership skills of the youth for them to become  catalysts toward a peaceful nation-building and fostering a drug-free and crime free community. 

Rico, one of the YLS participants said in his message, “Mapasalamaton ko sa mga ate ug kuya pati sa mga lecturer kay nagtudlo sila para sa kaayuhan namo aron dili mi mapadulong sa kadautan. Daghan kaayo ko ug natun-an tungod ani nga seminar unta naa pay musunod." (I am thankful to the personnel who act as our Ates' and Kuyas' and to the lecturers because they have taught us what's good for us so that we will not thread the wrong path. I have learned so much because of this training, I hope there will be more trainings.)

Meanwhile, Hon. Jenry E. Montante, Municipal Mayor of Kitcharao, said,  “Sa ginaingon pa ni Jose Rizal nga ang kabataan maoy pag-asa sa atong nasod. Dako pud among pasalamat sa 29IB kay nagahatag sila ug mga pagtulon-an sa atong mga kabataan. Gigiyahan nila ang atong kaabataan para dili matumpawak sa dautan ilabi na sa atong statistics karon sitenta poryenso ang rekruitment sa pikas. Kini nga seminar, usa lamang kini nga ang-ang sa inyo mga kabatan-onan alang sa inyong pagpadagan sa kaugmaon. Kay kini mao kini ang sumbanan ug ehemplo para sa kaayuhan." (According to Dr. Jose Rizal, the youth is the hope of our country. I am grateful to the 29IB for teaching the youth. They are guiding the youth so that they will not take the wrong path, since, according to statistics, 70% of the young people are recruited by the terrorist group. This seminar is only a step for you, the youth, on how you manage your future. This will serve as an example or your model for your own good.)

Also, Hon. Ma Angelica Rosedell M Amante, Provincial Governor of Agusan del Norte, in her message to the YLS Graduates, She said, “Choice. Desisyon natong tanan, ninyo, kada usa ninyo. Desisyon ninyo unsay mahitabo sa inyong ugma. Dili ta pwede muingon nga ang gobyerno ang nakasala. Desisyon gyud nato ang tanan. Kamo nga niagi sa training, swerte mo pero dapat dili lang muhunong sa inyo. Kamo naman ang lider kamo naman ang mahimong tingog nato sa Agusan para masalbar nato ang mga batan-on sa inyong barangay." (Choice. It is all our decision, yours and everyone else's. We cannot say that the government is the one who is at fault. It is really our decision. You who have received this training are extremely fortunate, and it should not end there. You are now the leader and you will be the one who will be the voice of Agusan so that we can save those young people who are in your barangay.) (2Lt. Rose Ann Mae U. Cordova (QMS), 4ID PA/PIA-Agusan del Norte)