The first case of COVID-19 was first reported in the Visayas region. Since then, there have been many headlines that hit the news on the spread of COVID-19 and how it affected the health, livelihood, and survival of the people in the Visayas, and the rest of the Philippines. However hopeless the situations may seem, the Visayan youth continues to make breakthroughs.
From east to west, the Visayan youth have mobilized efforts to aid the communities through support in healthcare, mental health, and livelihood.
Here is a list of Visayan youth groups that moved beyond their homes to their communities during this quarantine:
In a mission to provide aid in the prevention of the spread of COVID-19, Red Cross Youth (RCY) Negros Occidental initiated a project called RCY Drumvatory Handwashing Facilities. They created handwashing basins from drums and distributed those to different hospitals, medical centers, establishments, checkpoints in cities and municipalities all over Negros Occidental. They have already distributed more than 20 hand washing drums with more still pending for distribution.
The Order of Asclepius with their Project COpeVID provides psychosocial help for the Ilonggo youth through accurate info dissemination, webinars and workshop on mental health awareness and coping mechanisms during the pandemic, They also created a youth hub where people with questions and/or concerns can ask or inquire about mental health..
Tabang PH is a youth-led initiative that aims to promote civic engagement, youth empowerment, and collaborative volunteerism in Eastern Visayas in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tabang PH was able to empower around 90 volunteers across 4 cities and 6 municipalities in Leyte island and raised almost P110,000 to produce and distribute personal protective equipment, health kits, and pamphlets to local frontliners, health workers, and daily wage earners.
The EstrawngHeroes started MANONG, an errand-service program that allows sikad drivers to shop for essentials of Tigbauanons who are staying at home. Not only do they help through livelihood but also in providing scholarship opportunities for the young sikad drivers whose education, health, and family savings are severely affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Project Kalibo started as an initiative to help the frontliners of the municipality in Aklan. It now has reached many sectors through their several projects which include provision of PPEs and hot meals to almost 10, 000 residents; Adopt-a-Toda campaign that provided relief packs to tricycle drivers in 16 barangays; and addressing need for radio units and bond papers for students through bartering.
These five youth organizations are part of the 20 National finalists for the Search for Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards. This Annual Search is the premier award-giving body in the country, recognizing the effort of Filipino youth groups since 2002. The Search is co-presented by the TAYO Awards Foundation, Coca Cola Foundation Philippines and San Miguel Corporation, and its Official Media Partner, Prime Insignia.
Story and photos by Mariela Angella Oladive
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