Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines - Iloilo Province

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In 1915, the Public Welfare Board (PWB) was created and was tasked to study, coordinate and regulate all government and private entities engaged in social services. In 1921, the PWB was abolished and replaced by the Bureau of Public Welfare under the Department of Public Instruction. On November 1, 1939, Commonwealth Act No. 439 created the Department of Health and Public Welfare and in 1941, the Bureau of Public Welfare officially became a part of the Department of Health and Public Welfare. In addition to coordinating services of all public and private social welfare institutions, the Bureau also managed all public child-caring institutions and the provision of child welfare services. Roxas abolished the Bureau of Public Welfare and created the Social Welfare Commission, under the Office of the President, in its place. In 1968, Republic Act 5416, known as the Social Welfare Act of 1968, created the Department of Social Welfare, placing it under the executive branch of government. In 1976, the Department of Social Welfare was renamed Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) through Presidential Decree No. 994. Marcos and gave the department an accurate institutional identity. On June 2, 1978, the DSSD was renamed Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) in line with the change in the form of government. "PYAP" Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines Inc. Registration No.01328 approve on April 12, 1996. PYAP was 1st incorporated on July 29, 1974 under the name of Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines Inc. as an affiliated organization of DSWD which had a network up to barangay level and then. This organization is organized in area where there is a high incidence of OSY where it aims to give youth a total development in all aspects such physically, spiritually, psychologically, economically, cultural and social development. Members of the organization are ranging from 15-24 years old. In School Youth can also join the group but only Out of School Youth can be elected as officers. PYAP was federated from municipal, city, provincial and at the regional levels. The federation at different levels serves as a mechanism and forum to discuss youth issues and concerns like early marriage, drug-abuse and etc. It also serves as a venue to come up with solutions, recommendations addressed to the youth themselves as well as other system and entities involved in policy formulation, program, planning, implementation and evaluation. PROGRAMS:

IHRDPY-The Integrated Human Resource Development Program for Youth under Administrative Order No. 48 issued in 1974, provides developmental, remedial and preventive services to the OSYs aged 15 to 24 through its three major areas:

1. Self-employment Assistance Program,
2. Social Awareness and Community Responsibility
3. Special services. To be consistent and relevant with the current situation of the OSYs and other disadvantaged youth as well as youth program trends and development, the IHRDPY has been enriched. Henceforth, the program title shall be changed to Unlad Kabataan to facilitate recall. RATIONALE:

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), is mandated to care, protect, rehabilitate and empower the socially, economically and physically disadvantaged sectors. Hence, the Bureau of child and Youth welfare of the DSWD developed a program of services that will bring into reality what Article II, Section 13 of the Philippine Constitution envisages for the Filipino Youth. The IHRDPY was launched in 1973. It has been proven effective and has gained international recognition in the Asian region. Numerous countries look up to this program as a model in harnessing the resources of the less fortunate Filipino youth. In fact, there are many former youth leaders who occupy respectable position in the community today. However, as we approach the third millennium, there are new development concerns which have surfaced, namely: Child Rights, Adolescent Sexuality and Health, Gender Awareness, and Environment. These contemporary issues need to be incorporated in the present program for out-of-school-youth. UKP- Unlad Kabataan Program
Enhanced program of IHRDPY under Department Order No.18 series of 1996. A program anchored on the mission of the DSWD to care, protect, rehabilitate and empower the socially, economically and physically disadvantage sectors among which are the youth. The program is geared towards total developing OSY and disadvantage youth in terms of his/her spiritual, to become self-reliant, economically productive and socially responsible citizen to be able to contribute to the development of their family, community and participate in the task of Nation Building. Although the individual is dependent on the family for nurturance, protection and guidance; his/ her social obligation is into confined to the family and immediate community. The national and global perspectives are equally underscored in his/her formation from a dependent youth to an autonomous adult capable of interdependent interaction with others. A. PROGRAM GOAL::

To promote the development of the OSYs and other disadvantaged youth to become self-reliant, economically productive, and socially responsible citizens able to contribute to the development of their family and community. Objectives:

1. To encourage, facilitate and create opportunities for self-expression and attainment of proper attitudes and behavior among the youth for self-fulfillment and social awareness;

2. To engage the youth in various activities that will promote their social and economic development such as food production, volunteer community service,health and nutrition, population awareness, protection and conservation of natural resources and improvement of the natural environment;

3. To provide special services for the protection, rehabilitation and training of youth with special needs as those who are alienated, delinquent, neglected,abused, exploited, those with disabilities and those in cultural communities, etc., and

4. To maintain a program of collaboration and cooperation with government and non-government agencies for the youth in all sectors and at all levels in the community. B. TARGET CLIENTELE:

The target are the out-of-school-youth and other disadvantaged youth who are aged 15 to 24 years old

The other disadvantaged youth include those who have special needs such as the abused, neglected, exploited, delinquent, street youth, victims of prostitution, those with disabilities, youth offenders, youth in cultural communities among others. C. PROGRAM STRATEGIES:

Aware of the vital role played by the youth, there are two basic strategies used :

1.) Organization of Pag-asa Youth Association (PYAP) and
2.) Development of Peer Support System.

1. Organization of Pag-asa Youth Association

The PYA is organized in every barangay where there is high incidence of out-of-school-youth and other disadvantaged youth. PYAs are federated at the barangay, city, municipal, regional and national levels to promote networking and unit at various levels.

2. Development of Peer Support System

Considering the credibility and influence of the peers in the life of the youth, selected youth development leaders who have the interest, willingness and capability to serve as peer counselors, educators and advocates for positive lifestyle, environment, Convention on the Rights of the Child, etc., are trained to assist the youth service providers. D. PROGRAM COMPONENTS AND CORE INTERVENTION:

Being Preventive and developmental, the program is designed to provide opportunities for the development of the potentials of the OSYs and disadvantaged youth. Below, are the three (3) components:

1.) Economic Productivity

Sulong Dunong

Through Sulong Dunong the economically disadvantaged youth are provided access to : a.) formal, vocational or technical skills training that will qualify them open employment or self-employment to enable them to venture in livelihood projects/ activities; and b.) collateral-free and interest capital loans (Self-employment Assistance or SEA-K aunlaran Pangakabataan). These are made available to the Pag-asa Youth Association members who want to engage in individual or group income-generating projects. As the youth engage in economically productive undertaking, they develop self-confidence and positive attitude towards work and taking responsibilities. In cases of OSYs who are 4th year high school drop-outs but interested in technical courses requiring high school diploma, financial assistance for High School completion is extended as well as referrals to other appropriate agencies. Pre-employment Services

Youth groups interested in open or self-employment are required to attend the pre-employment and business management seminar which aims to build the employment marketability of the business-oriented youth.


2.) Personality Enhancement and Positive Lifestyle Promotion

The youth are in transition from childhood to adulthood. Acwuisition of knowledge, skills, positive attitudes and values are critical at thisperiod. Hence the PYA members undergo training in the following capability-building activities. PAFLO (Population awareness and family Life Orientation)

The youth are oriented on the concepts of population dynamics, human growth and development, family life, responsible parenthood, life-planning and decision-making. PAFLO aims to 1.) provide the OSYs and other