Davao de Oro — The Youth for Peace Maco Chapter and the Army’s 71st Infantry Battalion conducted the four-day Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) on October 28-31, 2020 at the Atty. Orlando S. Rimando National High school, Brgy. Binuangan, Maco with the theme “MALINAWONG DAVAO DE ORO: Ascending to Genuine Peace Building for a Higher Ground of Youth Empowerment”.
The initiative was attended by around sixty-seven youth leaders from the different barangays and sectoral groups within the municipality aging from 21 to 35 years old.
The objective of the activity was to empower and capacitate the youths to become responsible citizens and catalysts of spreading the culture of peace among the communities specially those conflict-affected areas.
During the summit, the youth engaged in different lectures and team building activities to understand their vital role in national transformation; the various government programs for the youth; the prevailing issues and challenges that they may face; and how they could cope with the challenges as they embark on their journey towards becoming community leaders for peace building. Health protocols and safety guidelines amid COVID-19 were also observed.
Former YFPM-Maco President, Elaine Marie Cabatingan believes in the power of peace-building as it is the way of promoting solidarity and camaraderie to attain peaceful community in the whole province of Davao de Oro.
The event was made possible through the support of the Local Government Unit of Maco (LGU), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), MDDRMO, and the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK).
Meanwhile, the new graduates of the 6th YLS are now part of YFPM Maco and the growing number of volunteers of the Youth for Peace Philippines. They are expected to help the community in empowering other youth by leveling up their leadership potentials for active participation in nation building.
(Rheafe Hortizano – Provincial Information Office | YFPM Maco | OIC Michael Manguhig, RPN DXKT Davao)