Posted on

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas celebrated fifty years of the Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines through an awards ceremony on July 29, 2024, at the AVRC II covered court.

Members of the PYAP Local Government Unit of Cebu City, DSWD 7 Protective Services Division Chief Emma F. Patalinghug, and Youth Focal Person Dr. Jenneth R. Aquino.

PYAP is an organization federated from the municipal to regional levels for out-of-school and disadvantaged youth between 15 and 24 years old.

The incorporation happened on July 29, 1974, and the federated organization became an affiliate organization of DSWD.

Since then, it has introduced various programs and services to strengthen the youth programs of local government units to improve socio-economic development for the youth while helping to address social issues such as teenage pregnancy, children in conflict with the law, and rising drug-related and HIV cases, among others.

Carrying the theme “Golden Milestones Fostering Generational Youth-led Initiatives for Inclusivity and Social Change,” PYAP and DSWD pay tribute to the organization’s journey of impacting local youth groups.

Guiding the PYAP for many years, DSWD 7 aims to revitalize efforts by recognizing local groups and igniting the interest in organizing active youth participation.

Youth focal person of DSWD Jenneth R. Aquino said that recognizing PYAP groups allows them to measure the functionality and accomplishments of each youth group.

“In functionality, we will check if they implemented their action plans and they properly use the resources according to purpose. At the same time, we also need to see if there is active youth participation by looking at the growth of their groups in terms of number,” Aquino said.

Among the PYAP LGU awardees are Talisay City (Most Outstanding), Danao City (Most Promising), Cebu City (Most Supportive), Naga City (Most Innovative), Tagbilaran City (Most Participative), Toledo City (Most Responsive), and Tuburan (Most Cooperative).

DSWD 7 recognized the different focal persons of the youth sector in LGUs. They are Lowella C. Vestil (Most Outstanding), Ranilo Agarao (Most Supportive), and Doniciano A. Alforque (Most Innovative).

DSWD 7 also awarded youth leaders Niño Rey L. Armas (Youth Leadership Excellence), Aiza R. Rosit (Trailblazer Award for Youth Impact), Bobsy L. Culiao (Inspiring Youth Leader), Rex R. Villavelez (Youth Volunteer of the Year), Christian Joecep S. Lazarte (Youth Ambassador for Social Change), Carlos S. Barliso (Youth Empowerment), and Mariel C. Canillo (Environmental Youth Advocate).

The 2024 Youth Leader Awardees from the different local government units in Cebu province.

Assistant Regional Director for Administration Tonyson Luther S. Lee spoke during the awards ceremony, acknowledged the relevance of the celebration, and called for the youth to engage actively in nation-building.

“Acknowledging the achievements of PYAP is to express our gratitude to LGU partners for their commitment to support the youth. However, a call to do more and take a new direction of welcoming a new generation of future leaders takes precedence over the recognition,” he said

Lee’s statement echoed his stance in a direction that strengthens the youth organizations in the region using local funding, igniting local youth participation, and creating forward-looking policies that listen to the voice of a dynamic youth sector.

This new advocacy will help forge a brighter future for the youth by inspiring change, building lasting legacies of progress, and igniting hope for the next generations. ###

(72) Views