ILOILO CITY PHILIPPINES: STAND UP TAKE ACTION 2010
“United in Achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals by 2010”
by: Jayson B. Jamora, UNYAP Commissioner for Visayas
“If you’re demanding for your rights, be sure to do your obligations,” a clear statement that shows that our country SHOULD NOT BE PASSIVE. It should have a cyclic mechanism. As I explained, we should not just wait for the government to deliver its services to the people. We should also do our share. As it is always emphasized, WE HAVE A ROLE and RESPONSIBILITY IN NATION BUILDING. It is not just the government that will solely and independently take actions for everything.
Last September 18, 2010, Iloilo City participated the international advocacy of Standing Up and Taking Action against Inequality and for the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals. A three (3) day Exhibit, started on September 15th, about the MDGs was presented at Robinson’s Mall, Iloilo to inform the public of what are these MDGs and how the Iloilo Government supports and fulfills it. This was made possible with different agencies and departments of the city.
The highlight of ILOILO CITY: SUTA 2010 was started by a parade at 6:00am from Jaro Plaza with almost 350 Student Leaders, NGOs, and Youths to Iloilo Provincial Capitol. A short program was then instituted with Iloilo City Councilor Jason Gonzales as the Keynote Speaker. Simultaneously, NSTP classes in three(3) Universities included a part for the MDGs and SUTA. They were all gathered, explained the significance and their roles in achieving the MDGs and delivered their pledges and commitment of support.
Right after the parade, a group of 150 students went directly to Gawad Kalinga Jaro (Cacho and Gonzales sites) for the SUTA’s immersion activity. They were already grouped into categories designed to cater specific MDG and age sector. We had activities like (1) Heroes Build, (2) Community Development, (3) SK Education, (4) Reproductive Health Forum, (5) Self Awareness and Teambuilding for Youth, (6) Reading, Storytelling, and Health Education for Kids, and (7) Health Nutrition for Parents. These activities were participated by students from Central Philippine University, University of the Philippines in the Visayas and the West Visayas State University. We also had a feeding activity at 4:00 in the afternoon for the whole community as well.
We had collected 6117 signatures of support for the MDGs in the province. Right after the SUTA, the organizers planned to draft a proposal for our local legislators to prioritizes and include the MDGs in their policies. Same goes with our Congressmen that their P70m “Pork Barrel” be spent on MDGs/pro MDGs projects.
The activity was organized by the United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines (UNYAP) in cooperation with the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) and Gawad Kalinga Isang Milyong Bayani Volunteer Group (GK1MB).
“As the hope of the fatherland, the youth, we have to do something. Even that something is not that big for now, but we will strive to collect EVERYTHING - bit by bit until we form the so-called FUTURE. A future where poverty is a history”
