PUDTOL, Apayao – The 5th Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army (PA) through the 17th Infantry Battalion (IB), conducted a three-day Provincial Youth Leadership Summit (PYLS) from January 24 – 26, at the Agappawan Nature Farm in Lydia, Pudtol.
Themed “Inspiring the Apayao Youth to Embrace Leadership, Cultivating Active Engagement in Shaping their Communities and Society with Purpose and Impact,” said the summit gathered 60 young leaders from the province.
During the first day, Ms. Gretchen Garcia, the Persons with Disability Affairs Officer (PDAO) of the Provincial Government of Apayao (PGA) delivered a lecture on Republic Act 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons. In her lecture, she highlighted the rights and privileges of persons with disabilities (PWDs). She also encouraged the participants to become advocates for equality, peace, and inclusivity.
Police Captain Ana Marie Lopez followed with a discussion on the Anti-Rape Law of 1997 (RA 8353) and the Violence Against Women and Children Act (VAWC). She refined the views of the youth about these laws in order to promote safer and more equal communities.
On the final day, Board Member Kyle Mariah Chelsea Bulut-Cunan served as the guest speaker. In her message, she inspired the participants to take initiative in their own ways regardless of positions in life.
“You do not have to be in an elected position to make a difference. You can be a leader in your own way and contribute to society by being an excellent student, an advocate for peace and culture, or a youth volunteer,” she said.
The summit was funded by the (PGA) through the collaboration of the Philippine Army, the Provincial Youth Development Office (PYDO), and the Provincial Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Hon. Hanz Gerald Palacay.
The event was a call to action for the yApayao youth to become leaders who will shape their community with purpose and conviction. By Michelle Acantilado