The love of community and concern for others have given the Red Cross Youth-Negros Occidental Chapter a national recognition – the 2020 Coke Barkada Award.
The award is given to one of Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations in recognition of its accomplishments, including its empowerment of young people who share the passion to improve the well-being of communities through projects aligned with sustainable priorities thrust of the sponsoring Coca-Cola Philippines.
Called the “Red Cross Youth Drumvatory Handwashing Facilities”, the RCYNO award-winning project was initiated in response to the challenge to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The club installed 31 steel drumvatories.
Each drumvatory has been used about 4,000 times each day as the facilities were installed in various places, like hospitals, government offices, health centers, establishments, schools and selected barangays across the province.
RCYNO is composed of volunteers from different school councils. The Red Cross Youth is one of the major services of the Philippines Red Cross.
“RCY aims to educate and empower children and young people in the spirit of the Philippine Red Cross through relevant training and effective leadership,” said Rizaldy Alunan Jr., RCY focal person.
“It also provided opportunities for directing and harnessing the youth’s idealism and energy into worthwhile humanitarian activities,” he added.
Alunan said RCY plans to initiate another project that will address an immediate concern in the province out of the P30,000 prize it received from Coca-Cola Philippines.
The drumvatory project, he said, was designed to assist the healthcare system and local authorities in the prevention of further transmission of the coronavirus disease by providing the facility for proper and regular handwashing.
The RCY in Negros Occidental is guided by PRC under Chapter Administrator Rita Benita Mirasol and Alunan as the RCY focal person.
The Chapter Youth Council is headed by Rona Alexis Castillo and Stefanie Joy Anatan and John Michael Claro, internal and external vice presidents, respectively.
The other officers are Freddah Lorraine Cruz, secretary; Therese Mae Dedoroy, assistant secretary; Kaye Santillana, treasurer; Jewel Rhay Tingson, auditor; Nicole Madrilejos, public relations officer and Kevin Johnson Sabuyan, assistant PRO.
Vice Chairpersons are Sergio Quivis III (Awards and Recognition), Adrian Louis Cartel (Council Management and Development), Joan Keithlyn Guerrero (Junior First Aiders Program), Maylojean Garcia (Pledge 25) and Kristine Defensor (Youth Advocates for the Preservation of the Environment).
In 2019, the winning group was the KKK of the Mindanao State University – Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography which initiated an environmental conservation program.
The students aimed to empower the discriminated Badjao community through a solid waste management and bio-intensive gardening project.
The project included the installation of led waste bins near the homes of tribal leaders, who after being trained on proper waste disposal, were tasked to share their knowledge with their constituents.
Through the bio-intensive garden, food security, was enhanced along with self-reliance and augmented family income.
Cecile Alcantara, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines president, said: “Every year, we are ignited with a light of hope emanated by Coca-Cola Barkada Awardees and their projects. Much like our campaign initiatives, the efforts aim to address the immediate and long-term needs of communities, proving that even the youth can play a part in making a positive impact on the lives of others.”
For 15 years now, the program, Alcantara said, has enabled them “to see such bright and responsible minds who do their share in community and nation building.”
Coca-Cola, the Barkada Award and TAYO Awards Foundation will continue to support their youth groups so that they can further serve as an inspiration to others, she added. – NWI
