ASoG ExecEd Delivers Leadership Sessions for Isabela City Basilan Youth

The Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) through its Executive Education Program (ExecEd), delivered on August 22 to 23 multiple leadership training sessions for the Sangguniang Kabataan officials and Local Youth Development Council movers from the twenty-five barangays of Isabela City, Basilan. ASoG’s participation in the city’s Motivational Camp is part of the institution’s ongoing commitment to fostering leadership and governance excellence across the country especially to young governance leaders. 

Board Member Amin Hataman and Local Youth Development Officer, Ms. Leviana Perez-Jarejolne, partnered with ASoG for this specialized training course. The training sessions were delivered by Leon Flores III, a renowned expert in youth development as a former Chairperson of the National Youth Commission (NYC). He has been instrumental in advancing reforms for the Sangguniang Kabataan and the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Law while at NYC and has co-authored research papers on the SK under the Ateneo Policy Center. He is currently a Professor of Praxis at ASoG.

Mr. Flores delivered a lecture on Collaborative Leadership, focusing on developing influential leadership qualities, managing internal conflicts through adaptive styles, and emphasizing effective positive communication. Another session was on the role of Creative Leadership and Public Speaking as strategic tools for stakeholder and constituent engagement. He contextualized leadership power tools to the participants’ roles, as catalysts for change, equipping them with foundational knowledge for community-driven leadership and barangay youth governance. Participants engaged in workshops that allowed them to apply the concepts discussed and hone their public speaking and communication skills. 

The training included an inspiring message from Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Hataman. She also shared to ASOG during the official courtesy call the programs and development gained under her leadership including their multi-awarded response during the Covid pandemic. A quick tour of the City’s redeveloped boulevard, newly renovated public market, and on-going construction of the city’s sports complex and stadium gave a glimpse that Basilan and Isabela City is indeed fully safe and open to tourists and businesses alike.