The Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines-National Capital Region (PYAP-NCR), a partner organization of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR), marked their anniversary celebration with the theme, “43 Years of Meaningful Youth Participation towards Drug Free Nation #PYAPPush “ on September 09. 2017 at  Malabon Amphitheater, Malabon City.

Present in the event were 447 youth from the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Las Piñas City, Valenzuela City, Marikina City, San Juan City, Malabon City, Mandaluyong City, Caloocan City, Municipality of Pateros, Caloocan City, Makati City and Taguig City as well as several staff of DSWD-NCR. The event celebrated their “meaningful youth” in spite of the setback and obstacles in their lives. A program consisted of various games and competitions such as poster making contest, banner-making contest, interpretative dance and lastly, the main event, the Ambassador and Ambassadress of PYAP NCR 2017 were prepared for the participants.

Ms. Maridol R. Licerio, Social Welfare Specialist for Youth encourages the participants to join the activities prepared for them and to simply enjoy the event. She also said that they should listen to the forum with Atty. Mario Dionisio Jr., the Resource Speaker, so that they can be well-informed of their rights and the specific laws for the children and the youth as they are the center of hot-issues nowadays especially related to committing crimes and abusing illegal drugs.

In line with this, Atty. Mario Dionisio Jr, Public Attorney III discusses the Republic Act 9344 or the JUVENILE JUSTICE AND WELFARE ACT OF 2006 and Republic Act 9165 or the COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT as these pertain to a very relevant issue which is being faced by the youth today.

After the lecture and forum, the interpretative competition and poster-making contest were simultaneously conducted and participated by different LGU group representatives. The participants showcased a performance which brought a message, through dancing and creative arts, which is relevant to the issue on the youth and the government.

The Ambassador and Ambassadress of PYAP-NCR 2017 was the main highlight of the event which not only bragged their beauty and brains but also their determination and advocacy despite being a children in-conflict with the law (CICL) and out-of-school youth.

This year’s winners in PYAP- NCR 2017 Interpretative were Marikina City (1^st place), Las Piñas City (2^nd Place) and Valenzuela City (3^rd Place). For the Banner-Making Contest, the winners were Valenzuela City (1^st place), Las Piñas City (2^nd place) and Malabon City (3^rd place). Next, for the poster-making contest were Valenzuela City (1^st place), Las Piñas City (2^nd place) and Marikina City (3^rd place). Lastly, the Ambassador and Ambassadress Lastly, the Ambassador and Ambassadress crowned were Mr. Jobert Bascos and Ms. Carmella Lazaro who were from Marikina City. The over-all champion for the successful competition was grabbed by Marikina City.

The PYAP is a duly constituted barangay-based organization of the out-of school-youth between 15-24 years old who are clienteles of the DSWD.  The PYAP Inc. utilizes the DSWD’s youth program called Unlad Kabataan Program formerly known as integrated human resource program for youth in order to carry out the goal of providing opportunities for PYAP members in order to actualize their potentials and aspirations, experience, self fulfillment, contribute to the growth of his/her community and participate in the task of nation building. (Source: http://groups.tigweb.org/PYAPSablayan) ###