IN CELEBRATION of the 31st Local Government Month, the Sangguniang Kabataan SOCSKSARGEN Federation led the holding of the first SK SOCSKSARGEN Regional Congress themed “Championing the Youth Leadership Journey: Now and Beyond.”

The 3-day event aimed to showcase innovative ideas of SK representatives and provide opportunities for SK leaders to hone their skills and awareness of the prevalent issues and concerns that affect the youth.

Rep. Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos who joined the session on Empowering Youth Participation in Governance, shared her experiences as a young legislator.

She shared that the bedrock of her leadership is “listening.”

“We should always understand the people that we serve, to always listen to their needs, and to be their ally in fighting against life’s adversities,” the lawmaker said.

“We should work together and strive to make Cotabato great again. And this will only be possible if we include every sector in this journey,” she added.

She further underscored that leaders do not know everything, thus, “it is important for them to capture the narratives of every sector to be able to accomplish greater heights.”

Santos reminded the participants not to take their position for granted and to be role models to the youth in their respective villages.