2015 TAYO awardees include rescue teams, agri waste group, breast milk advocates

Ten youth organizations from all over the Philippines were honored Tuesday in Malacañang for their unique contributions to society in the fields of education, relief efforts, peacekeeping and the arts, among others.

This year, the awardees include a group converting agricultural waste to energy; a theater group that reached out to Typhoon Yolanda victims with creative works; a sorority conducting breast milk advocacy activities; and a Red Cross junior team that came up with an eco-friendly rescue boat.

Honored at the 12th Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations Awards are:

• ACCESS-PYLP Alumni Association, Inc. - ZamBaSulTa Chapter
• Indigenous Youth Servant Leaders Association of the Philippines
• Kanlungan Pilipinas Movement Inc.
• Katipunan ng mga Kabataang Santiagueno
• Move this World Philippines. Inc.
• Phi Lambda Delta Sorority - UP Manila
• Red Cross Youth and Junior Rescue Team
• Rescue Assistance Peacekeeping Intelligence Detail, Inc.
• University of San Agustin Little Theater
• Youth for Environment in School Organization - Lucena City National High School Ransohan Extension

Four special awards were also given out:

•  
• Lenovo Most Innovative Project - Order of Asclepius
• Smart Youth Innovation Award - Kanlungan Pilipinas Movement, Inc.
• San Miguel Corporation Special Award - Kwaderno Love Can, Inc.
• Coke Barkada Award - Red Cross Youth and Junior Rescue Team

In his speech after the ceremony, President Benigno Aquino III extolled the value of cooperation in all organizations, including within the government.

“Simula pa lang, batid kong hindi ko kakayanin ang lahat nang mag-isa. Sa nakalipas na mahigit apat at kalahating taon ng ating pamamahala, pinatunayan nating kapag mas marami tayong kumikilos, mas mabilis nating nakakamit ang ating hangarin. Dito ko nga naalala ang kaisipang ibinahagi sa akin: Kapag daw ang dunong ng mas nakakatanda at ang lakas ng kabataan ay nagsanib, talagang malayo ang ating mararating,” Aquino said.

Aquino also said the youth remain instrumental in finding creative solutions to the country's problems.

“Kinikilala [natin] ang ambag ng kabataan sa pagtugon sa suliranin ng lipunan. Kasama ang sambayanan, nagpapasalamat ako sa dedikasyon at pagsisikap ninyong ipagpatuloy ang inyong makabuluhang mga adbokasiya,” he said.

Aquino added that the country remains committed to creating new opportunities for young people.

“Makakaasa naman kayo: Sa gumagandang estado ng ating ekonomiya, pinapalawak natin ang mga pagkakataon para sa kabataan lalo pa’t kayo ang mga susunod nating propesyonal at lingkod-bayan,” he said. — BM, GMA News