BUTUAN CITY - In celebration of its 9th Founding Anniversary, the Propelling Our Inherited Nation Through our Youth Incorporated (POINTY, Inc.), conducted a one-day Indigenous People’s Youth Peace Forum at the Youth Center, Great Lake Resort, Poblacion, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte on October 26, 2021.
The activity dubbed as “Kabatan-unang Tribung Kaabag sa Paglambu sa Kulturang Kalinaw” aims to promote awareness for the youth of IP communities about the Communist Terrorist Group's (CTG) recruitment strategy and empower the youth about their vital role in community peacebuilding and sustainable development.
Facilitated by the volunteers of POINTY Inc., the forum was participated by 30 IP youth coming from the Municipalities of Jabonga and Kitcharao.
It was made possible through the support of the Local Government Units of Jabonga and Kitcharao, National Commission on the Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) 13, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) 13, 4th Infantry Division, 901st Infantry Brigade, 29th Infantry Battalion and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC)
The forum was graced by the Commander of 901st Brigade, BGEN GEORGE L. BANZON; Representative of NCIP Caraga, Atty. Fritzie Lynne Sumando; Area Officer of NICA XIII, Samantha Son; Municipal Vice Mayor of Jabonga, Hon. Pamela Bermudez; SB Member, Hon. Mernalyn Alingato; SK Federation President, Hon. Jeffrel Grana; Municipal Administrator of Kitcharao, Dr. Raul De Agua; IPMR of Jabonga, Mr. Jovy Antawan; Commanding Officer of 29th Infantry Battalion, LTC JASON M SALDUA; and IP Youth Focal of Caraga, Gerlie P. Tiambong.
In his message, BGen. Banzon empowered the IP youth to embrace their identity and be confident on who they are, emphasizing that they are not subordinate citizens but are equal with other people in Caraga Region.
“Utruhun ko, kung unsa inyung gikaon, mao rasab ang among gi kaon. Dili kita lain nga tao, dili kita lain-lain na tao. Isa ra kita diri, isa kita diri nga nagpuyo sa Agusan del Norte ug sa tibook Caraga,” he said.
Engaging the IP community has been one of POINTY's advocacieis in the past nine years serving as as a non-government organization.
Written by: Mark John Benolirao, Secretary, POINTY Agusan del Norte, YFPEM
Comments