ANGELES CITY – What other students can perceive, out-of-school youths can achieve.
A group of young individuals living in Northville, Barangay Cutud here held a clean up drive in their village on Sunday morning, an activity that gives them the chance to raise funds and pursue a college education.
Carlo Puno, youth development worker of this city’s social welfare and development office (CSWDO), told Punto Central Luzon that at least 25 out-of-school youths thought of cleaning every street in their village and ask for recyclable materials.
“They don’t ask for money, only used bottles, hard plastics and other things which they could sell. They call it ‘Kalakal’. May nagbibigay nga ng cash pero hindi nila tinanggap,” he said.
Puno also said the 25 out-of-school youths are members and officers of the Pagasa Youth Association (PYA)-Angeles City chapter.
“They will use the funds to organize other activities so they’ll earn more. They really want to go back to school and pursue their college education,” he said.
He stressed that the CSWDO only provided technical help and did not gave any financial assistance.
To join the group, an individual should be 14 years old above and not older than 22, single and not studying.
Puno added that there are already PYAs in other barangays: two in Pulung Maragul, one in Lourdes Northwest, and eight in Pulung Cacutud. A group is composed of at least 25 members.
Other than holding clean up drives, Puno said PYAs also help in other activities of the CSWDO and the Office of the Mayor like the “Brigada Eskwela.”
He said PYAs are also willing to do community services in other barangays.
For its part, the CSWDO here headed by Heidi A. Patio looks for sponsors who are willing to provide scholarships and educational assistance to members of PYAs.
It is targeting to form 33 PYAs here, at least one in every barangay.
“I think we might be able to organize more than 33 groups since there are already eight in Northville,” Puno said.
The PYA here is headed by Ferry Pangilinan, 22, lives in Northville and a factory worker.