SUTA in Tuguegarao City - UNYAP Region 2 - Walk for MDG

The United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines (UNYAP- Region II) organized the Stand Up and Take Action Campaign (SUTA) with the activity entitled “Walk and Run for MDGs” in partnership with St. Paul University Philippines last October 16-18, 2009 held at Cagayan Sports Complex, Tuguegararo City.

“Stand United Fight Poverty” was the theme of the activity which aims to increase the participation of the youth and the civil society to build relationships among their colleagues and co-citizens. It also aims to raise the awareness of people in observance of the International Week on Extreme Poverty Eradication. The focused of the campaign were the Millenium Development Goals of the United Nations.

The event was participated by the different agencies namely; Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Natural Resources, Philippine National Police (PNP), Provincial and Municipal government offices and the Philippine National Red Cross. Non – Government Organizations like; Rotary International, Every Nation Youth, Rotaract. The different colleges and universities also joined in the event; St. Paul University Philippines, University of St. Louis, Cagayan State University, and Medical Colleges of Northern Philippines and the Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao

Hon. Rosauro Resuello, Councilor of Tuguegarao City facilitated the Stand up Pledge. He gave an inspirational talk about empowering the youth to be involve, responsive and be focused of what they can contribute in the attainment of the MDG’s by stressing that youth are the instruments of change in our government He further assured the audience that he will certainly include the MDG’s in his platform of governance.

Meanwhile, Mr. Randy Tumacder, President Rotary International Region II Chapter gave his speech on the roles of the youth as a nation builder. “Let us all listen to the voices of the youth, and act as their partners to protect their rights. They are the resources of our nations that can be our future leaders for tomorrow” he added.

Moreover, Hon. Boyet Ortiz, City Councilor of Tuguegarao challenged the youth on their roles and responsibilities. He discussed it by using his wisdom on the word “LAPIS”. According to him we need “lapis” (pencil) which symbolizes acceptance, conversion and reconciliation. He also defined every word of”LAPIS”.

L- ove and concern for others

A- cceptance of the responsibility

P- rayers

I- nteraction or network

S- ervice

Part of the activity was the floating of the “I vote Survey”. SPUP - UNYAP organizers and volunteers distributed the “I Vote 4 MDG survey forms to the students of the schools and universities of Tuguegarao City, after which the form was retrieved and tallied.

Lastly, Mr. Randymax Bulaquit, Regional Coordinator and Ms. Teresita Lasam, Regional Adviser of UNYAP expressed their message of thanks and gratitude to all the participants and sponsors of the event. The same appreciation was given to the youth volunteers who gave their invaluable time and effort in the success of the event. The event also became a venue for new and willing youth volunteers to join the organization.

The hard work and sacrifices of the organizers and volunteers yielded successful results as they were able to involved Four thousand one hundred fifty seven (4157) participants with the following breakdown. There were two hundred ninety seven (297) graduates who took part in the pledge last October 17, graduation. There were also Two Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety Five (2895) students from the different schools, colleges and universities in the city who voted for MDG. Moreover, there were one hundred sixty five (165) participants in different schools, organizations and agencies and Five hundred (500) tricycle drivers who joined in the “Walk and Run 4 MDG” activity and TESDA with three hundred (300).

TESDA made a very unique activity to the technical students of the different vocational schools in responding to the poverty alleviation. There were three hundred (300) technical students from region 2 who attended the seminar on Poverty Alleviation.

Based on the results of the survey on I Vote for MDG, creating more jobs, providing equal opportunities to both male and females, killed and unskilled got the highest percentage of 76.43%. The second concern of the region is to strictly implement and strengthen the laws and regulations concerning on environment with a percentage of 73.25 %. HIV/AID is the least concern which gathered 42.8% only.