A TOTAL of 69 youth belonging to the Abelling Tribe participated during the three-day Youth Leadership Summit at the Tarlac Agricultural University Annex – College of Agriculture and Forestry, Sitio Calao, Brgy. San Jose, Mayantoc, Tarlac on February 14-16, 2024.

The activity with the theme, “NATAN-OK MAYANTOC: Ascending to Genuine Peacebuilding for a Higher Ground of Youth Empowerment”, was organized by the 71st Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Mayantoc, Tarlac.

It aims to empower the participants as young peacebuilders in their community and nurture them with the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to transform them into responsible and peace-loving leaders.

Mayantoc Mayor Iluminado E. Pobre has expressed his support for the activity along with the members of the Sangguniang Kabataan.

Through lectures and activities, the participants were awakened to the pressing issues involving the youth and how they could help sustain the stability of internal peace and security in their municipality.

Among the highlights were the lectures on the Role of the Filipino Youth in nation-building, IPRA Law, and the Roles and Rights of IP Youth.

A Kultura Night Celebration and Search for Mr. and Miss Ambassador of Peace 2024, wherein all the participants showcased their respective cultural and creative presentations, capped the two-day activity.

On the third day, the participants elected their set of officers wherein Mr. Elmer Garma, the former SK Chairman of Barangay Poblacion Norte, was hailed as the first President of the YFP Mayantoc Chapter.

Moreover, delegates from the Youth for Peace-Ilocos Sur facilitated a workshop and open forum among the participants to consolidate pressing issues and concerns of the youth in Mayantoc and develop programs and activities to address the said issues.

“As I joined the Youth Leadership Summit, I learned that this training is necessary for our youth because it helps us strengthen and broaden our leadership capabilities. It teaches us to be accountable for our actions and have the compassion to help others while becoming the better version of ourselves,” Mr. Elmer Garma, YFP Mayantoc Chapter President, said.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Michael B. Bautista, 71IB Commanding Officer, expressed his gratitude to the unwavering support of the Local Government Unit of Mayantoc, Tarlac, headed by Hon. Iluminado E. Pobre Jr. in the realization of the Youth Leadership Summit and the leadership exhibited by the Sangguniang Kabataan of Mayantoc.

The Commander of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Philippine Army, Major General Andrew D. Costelo PA, expressed his gratitude and support to the IP Youth for their active participation in this activity to increase their knowledge and awareness about the pressing issues and concerns in the youth sector.

“I commend the youth of the Abelling tribe for participating in this Youth Leadership Summit. We hope that you learned a lot in this activity. The Army, along with its local partner stakeholders, will continue to support this activity in line with the programs of the National Youth Commission and the National Commission of Indigenous People,” MGen. Costelo said.