The Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) has chosen Valenzuela City to host the annual celebration of Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines – National Capital Region (PYAP – NCR) Day held recently at the Valenzuela City Astrodome in Barangay Dalandanan.

Ms. Dorothy Evangelista, Officer-In-Charge of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), welcomed the guests from the different parts of the metropolis. In a statement, she stressed that the primary goal of the activity is “to strengthen PYAP organizations and provide activities for acquaintance, sportsmanship and solidarity among out-of-school youth (OSY).”

PYAP was first incorporated on July 29, 1974 under the name of Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines, Inc. as an affiliated organization of DSWD which had a network from the national level down to the barangays.

A PYAP group is organized in an area where there is a high incidence of OSY to give youth a total development in all aspects; such as, physical, spiritual, psychological, economical, cultural and social development.

Members of the organization range from 15-24 years old.  In School Youth can also join the group but only Out of School Youth can be elected as officers.

PYAP was federated from municipal, city, provincial and at the regional levels.
The federation at different levels serves as a mechanism and forum to discuss youth issues and concerns, like,  early marriage, drug-abuse, among others.

It also serves as a venue to come up with solutions and recommendations addressed to the youth themselves, as well as, other system and entities involved in policy formulation, program, planning, implementation and evaluation.

In Valenzuela City, PYAP was revitalized in 2010 as a program which serves as a strategy to provide an avenue to tackle the condition of the OSYs in the city and to come up with solutions to address their issues and concerns.  A multi-sectoral plan geared towards their total socio-economic, physical, psychological and spiritual development is currently in force.  The CSWDO, the Department of Education - Valenzuela, the Valenzuela City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (VADAC) and the Public Employment Services Office (PESO), together with partner Non-Government Organizations (NGO) join forces for this endeavor.  

Education and values formation are integral part of the program.  The program is one of the city’s contributions to the aim of meeting the Millennium Development Goals or MDGs by year 2015.

City Mayor Sherwin T. Gatchalian dropped by to greet the participants, saying “through this program the needs of OSYs could be assessed and addressed objectively to re-integrate them back to the society where they can eventually be good influences to their peers and be important players in nation-building.”

Winners:

PYAP – NCR Ambassador 2011 –Makati City

1^st Runner-up – Marikina City

2^nd Runner-up  - Pasig City

PYAP – NCR Ambassadress 2011– Las Pinas City

1^st Runner-up – Valenzuela City

2^nd Runner-up  - Pasig City

Singing Contest

1^st Valenzuela City

2^nd  Makati City

3^rd Pasig City

Cultural Dance Competition

1^st Valenzuela

2^nd  Mandaluyong

3^rd Pasig

Logo-making  – Las Pinas City

Banner-making – Pasig City

DSWD-NCR provided the cash prizes and trophies, with assistance from Valenzuela City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).