CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte -- The 29th Infantry (Matatag) Battalion, in collaboration with the Municipal Government of Jabonga and other government agencies, molds another batch of young leaders during the three-day Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) held at the Jabonga Municipal Gym.

The Youth Leadership Summit is a 3-day camp that aims to gather and to empower the youth become advocates of peace, promote character-based leadership skills, and uplift their awareness of the roles of the youth in nation building. This training will later require them to develop the necessary entrepreneurship skills that will help them in their capacity-building and their understanding of their roles in building a just and peaceful society.

YLS is also a part of the sustainment effort on ending the insurgency to effectively address the recruitment of youth into the armed groups as they remain one of the most vulnerable sectors in society.

"Yang-yang", one of the Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) participants, said in her message, "Okay kaayo ning Youth Leadership Summit kay mapaabot gyud sa mga bata nga dili basta-basta marecruit sa pikas kay tudluan man gyud mi. Isa pud dako sad matabang sa mga batan-on pareha nako nga makat-on bahin sa negosyo nga makatabang namo sustenir sa among mga panginahanglon. (This Youth Leadership Summit is very practical because we are informed about the recruitment scheme of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army - National Democratic Fund and because of that, we can't easily be recruited. Aside from that, this will really help us young people to learn about business, which will help us to sustain our daily needs.)

Meanwhile, Hon. Napoleon Montero, Municipal Mayor of Jabonga emphasized in his inspirational message that he extends his gratitude to the 29IB for organizing the youth and that he will support the project proposals of the youth for them to have something that they can practice for their young minds to learn the basics of becoming a good and effective leader.

On the other hand, Col. Jason M Saldua, Commanding Officer of 29IB emphasized the importance of this training, "Kami sa 29th Infantry (Matatag) Battalion ay nagpapasalamat ng sa inyung mga kabataan dahil wala kami dito sa inyong harapan kung wala ang cooperation ninyo, malakas ang adbokasiya namin para maiwasan o mapahinto na ang recruitment sa hanay ng mga kabataan. Sabi nga ni Dr. Jose Rizal, "Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng Bayan", malay natin isa na sa inyo ang susunod na mamumuno sa bayan natin ito. Kung ano man ang natutunan nyo sa 3-day na activity na ito naway maisapuso ninyo at maituro sa iba. " (We in the 29th Infantry (Matatag) Battalion are thankful for everyone, we are not here in front of you without your cooperation. We have strong advocacy to stop recruitment in the youth sector. As Dr. Jose Rizal said, "The youth is the hope of our nation." Perhaps one of you will be the next leader who will lead our nation. Whatever you learned over the course within  three days, please take it seriously and share it with others.) (29th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army/PIA Agusan del Norte)