Youth summit gathers young leaders in Piagapo

More than 100 young leaders here gathered at the municipal complex of Piagapo on Dec. 17-19, 2018 for a youth summit organized by the Piagapo municipal government in partnership with the 12th Civil-Military Operations Battalion of the Philippine Army.

The summit was anchored on the theme "Arise. Lead. Inspire" to transform and empower the youth in fulfilling their roles in building a morally and spiritually upright society.

During the summit, the young leaders underwent a series of interactive lectures and workshops and experienced practical exercises.

They were also exposed to several team building activities designed to prepare them to work better together.

Resource speakers were led by Ltc Wilfredo P. Amoma, Commanding Officer of the 12th CMO Battalion, who discussed preventing and countering violent extremism.

Other topics were: Environment and the Youth by Forester Asmarie M. Labao; the role of the youth in nation-building by Jamilnur D. Sarip, Prime Minister of MSU-Supreme Student Government; criminality and drug addiction and prevention by PSInsp. Vanessa Gabot; ill-effects of drug abuse/addiction by Dr. Rasmia M. Lawi; leadership development and interpersonal communications by Prof. Sorhaila L. Yusoph; the rule of law and children's rights by Atty. Ishaq L. Mangondato; and the role of the youth in the Bangsamoro by Rubina M. Macabunar.

Meanwhile, Piagapo Mayor Engr. Ali L. Sumandar commended the active participation and support of the Liga ng mga Barangay-Piagapo Chapter and the local Sangguninag Kabataan.

He also expressed appreciation to the 12thCMO Battalion for providing the facilitators during the summit.

The mayor hopes that the summit will foster unity and bravery among the youth for them to lead and inspire people to build stronger communities and a peaceful nation.

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Workshop explores convergence to address food insecurity

A four-day workshop brought together 39 stakeholders from government line agencies and local government units in Lanao del Sur to explore convergence efforts to ensure food security in the province.

The workshop, held Nov. 19 to 22, was organized by the provincial government to formulate a plan to address food insecurity as well as increase food sufficiency in the province.

During the workshop, the participants took a hard look at the factors that impact food security such as poverty, income, unemployment, productivity, and shocks including those that affect stability like disasters and conflicts.

Environment concerns and measures to preserve Lake Lanao were also tackled.

Assad Baunto of the Regional Planning and Development Office of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RPDO-ARMM), on the other hand, shared the various programs of the ARMM government to strengthen the region’s food system.

He also discussed the cyclical relationship between poverty, conflict, and food insecurity.

He said poverty measures deprivation has many dimensions.

Addressing food insecurity does not only involve ensuring the availability of food but also making sure that people have access to it at all times.

He also emphasized that while food insecurity can be a source of conflict, the conflict itself has a significant effect on food insecurity.

At the end of the workshop, the participants identified various programs, projects, activities, and budgetary requirements to ensure food security and stability.

They also crafted strategies on how to make convergence work for each of the identified programs.

Proposed policies and communication activities to support the convergence were also laid out.

The outputs of the workshop will be reviewed and finalized by the provincial government for inclusion in its annual investment plan.

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