Youth empowered as 
          advocates for peace and development in Matuguinao
          
          By 43rd Infantry Battalion, 
          8ID PA
          November 15, 2016
          LOPE DE VEGA, Northern, 
          Samar – Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) was conducted on November 
          3-5, 2016 at Brgy Maduroto, Matuguinao, Western Samar with the joint 
          effort of 43IB, 8ID, PA and LGU-Matuguinao, with the theme: 
          “Initiating Youth Actions Towards an Empowered Generation”.
          The Youth Leadership Summit 
          is one of the priority project of Hon. Melissa dela Cruz, Mayor of 
          Matuguinao, Western Samar, it is composed of 106 youth coming from 
          different barangays of Matuguinao, Samar. The main objectives of YLS 
          are to develop the youth to become responsive individuals and to 
          empower them as advocates and conduits of peace and development.
          The 43rd Infantry Battalion 
          Commander, Lt. Col. Reymondo A Delgado INF (GSC) PA, said that the YLS 
          is one of the AFP’s programs designed to reach out and help the youth 
          become future leaders. This is in line with the continuing efforts of 
          the AFP to productively engage the various stakeholders in winning the 
          peace. 
          
          Joining the YLS resource 
          speakers were PNP, DepEd, RHU, PYAP, DSWD, and the AFP. The objective 
          of this training is to indoctrinate the youth as peace advocators and 
          to enhance their knowledge and capabilities to become more productive 
          constituents of the community and to practice their roles as a leader 
          for the achievement of peace.
          Whereas, the We Search 
          Troopers were able to impart effectively under the atmosphere of 
          self-discovery, cooperation and teamwork’s among others.
          “As early as now we’re 
          preparing them to learn about leadership, thus, we invited guests from 
          other agencies and sectors to expose them to the different government 
          offices and their respective mandates,” says Col. Delgado. 
          
          The activity culminated with 
          a brief ceremony. Mayor Dela Cruz delivered an inspiring message. A 
          youth representative and a member of the facilitators shared their 
          impressions.