Leadership summit inspires Agusan Norte youth participants
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Participants to the Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) 2025 from Las Nieves High School in Agusan del Norte have said that the event in mid-October has given them inspiration to strive to become good leaders.
“Dako kaayo ni nga higayon alang kanamo nga mga estudyante kay dili lang kami nakakat-on bahin sa pagka maayong lider, apan usab sa importansya sa kalinaw ug panaghiusa sa komunidad,” said Shanaiah Nieva H. Navarroza, Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSG) president of Las Nieves National High School, of the YLS training.
(This is such a great opportunity for us students because we learned not only how to become good leaders, but also the importance of peace and unity in the community.)
Her words capture the essence of the summit, a transformative event designed to empower the youth with leadership skills, teamwork values, and a deeper understanding of peace and social responsibility.
Through the YLS, participants gained confidence, discipline, and a sense of purpose as they prepared to become responsible and service-oriented future leaders of Las Nieves.
The YLS 2025, held from Oct. 17 to 19 at the Regional Evacuation Center, Barangay San Isidro, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte, strengthened the awareness and leadership potential of young people through symposiums on real-life social issues and team-building activities that fostered camaraderie and civic engagement among youth leaders.
Over a hundred youth leaders, including SSG officers from 10 high schools in Las Nieves, joined the summit, demonstrating their enthusiasm and commitment to peace and progress. Nico Nuya of E.G. Montilla National High School said, “Tungod sa YLS, nakabalo ko kung unsa nga klase nga pagkaleader ang akong gusto (Because of YLS, I discovered what kind of leader I want to become.)”
In her message, Mayor Karen S. Rosales emphasized the pivotal role of the youth for the development of Las Nieves. The youth are the strength and hope of Las Nieves, and we trust that you will continue the culture of peace, cooperation, and service to the people of our town, Mayor Rosales said.
Guest of Honor and Speaker, Engineer Jan Kenneth G. Garcia, said the YLS is the beginning of new perspectives, friendships, and a mission to prove that the youth are truly the hope of our nation.
The YLS is part of Mayor Rosales’ Peace Agenda (Agenda No. 5), which focuses on engaging the youth in peacebuilding and civic participation. Through this initiative, the local government aims to develop a generation of responsible, peace-loving, and service-driven young leaders who will continue to uphold unity and progress in Las Nieves and the entire nation. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte with a report from LGU Las Nieves MIO)
