Honing the leadership skills of the youth is among the vital weapons to counter the communist ideology espoused by the New People’s Army (NPA), an official of the non-profit group Propelling Our Inherited Nation Through our Youth, Inc. (POINTY) said on Wednesday.

Aside from leadership training, 61 youth leaders will also be given livelihood programs by the military, said 1st Lt. Jade Bryce Buñe, 29th Infantry Battalion (IB) civil-military operations officer in an interview.

The Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) from Oct. 8 to 10 spearheaded by the 29IB and supported by POINTY was attended by the 61 representatives coming from the different conflict-affected barangays in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.

“This training is crucial in our efforts, together with the 29IB, in protecting our youth from the influence and recruitment of the NPA,” Glynmer Jamito, a member of the Board of POINTY in Agusan del Norte, said.

He added that the training also helped the youth leaders develop critical thinking and building of resilience and self-confidence in countering the propaganda of the communist rebels during recruitment.

“Learning effective communication and conflict resolution skills were also part of the YLS which help our youth leaders develop their abilities to express opinions, engage in constructive dialogue, and resolve conflicts peacefully,” he said.

Aside from the leadership training, the military unit will also help facilitate livelihood programs for the youth leaders in Cabadbaran City.

“Most of these leaders are out-of-school youths. The 29IB will help facilitate in providing them with livelihood activities through the different line agencies of the government, the local government unit of Cabadbaran, and the provincial government of Agusan del Norte,” Buñe said.

Buñe added that constant monitoring among the different youth groups will also be implemented through the conduct of monthly meetings and various team-building activities. (PNA)