Alay Lakad for Out-of-School Youth

From politics, let’s move to civic-mindedness. The annual “Alay Lakad: Walk-for-a-Cause” was successfully held at the Quirino Grandstand. This year’s theme was “Kabataan Suporta ng Bayan,” for the “Alay Lakad: Walk-for-a-Cause” was conceptualized in 1972, by the late DSWD secretary Dr. Estefania Aldaba Lim. Raising funds through “walking” will enable the out-of-school youth to receive educational assistance, skills, and livelihood trainings to improve their way of life, said Frank Evaristo, Alay Lakad president and long-time advocate of the charity “walk.”

Proceeds from the fundraising campaign are dedicated to assisting the government in enabling and empowering the youth, especially the out-of-school youth, to become productive and responsible citizens. Through these years, Rotary International is one of the avid supporters of this walk-for-a-cause.

This year’s walk was led by the Alay Lakad National Coordinating Committee, chaired by Rotary International District 3810 Rotary District governor Rudy Bediones, and vice chaired by the Junior Chamber International Philippines through its national president Rey Felix Rafols, and Lion’s International VP John Sy, Alay Lakad Executive Committee is chaired by Rotarian Oscar del Rosario.

Members of the Board of Trustees include Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) president Domingo H. Yap, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galves Jr., Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde, Lions Clubs International MD-301, District 301-A2, and 301-A3, Kiwanis International Philippines-Luzon District, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, YMCA Manila, YWCA, the Department of Education, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Philippine Information Agency with director general usec. Harold E. Clavite, PLPI, PARCNET, REACT-NCR, and the National Youth Commission. Also in the board are John Sy, Belinda T. Zalameda, Delfin Go, John Guidotong, Dra. Teruko Haga, and Rev. Leonida Salva.

This year’s walk-for-a-cause, which was anticipated by some 200,000 walkers, was able to generate a total of P700,000 in donations from various government agencies, the private sector, and civic organizations. President Rodrigo Duterte serves as the honorary chairperson of the Alay Lakad Foundation, Inc. During the formal turn over ceremony held at the Quirino Grandstand, Gen. Galvez handed over a P280,000 facsimile check to Evaristo, to finance Alay Lakad’s efforts.