The representative of Western Visayas in the National Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children bagged a major award.

A 14-year-old Jopay Pelayo of Roxas City won second runner- up. She has personally received her plaque plus P 15, 000 cash prize during the highlight of the National Children’s Congress (NCC) held at the SM North Skydome in San Juan, Manila on Saturday last week (November 18).

“Thank you to all those who supported and helped me materialize this dream. Being a Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiary is not a hindrance to success that’s why I am proud to be an exemplary 4Ps child”, she stressed.

Other national winners come from regions of MIMAROPA as national champion; CAR, first runner-up; NCR, third runner-up; and Region 11, as fourth runner-up.

CHILDREN CONGRESS

The teen awardee was also joined with five other regional finalists namely Karla Czarina Sulit of Tigbauan, Iloilo; Ma. Gabrielle Angeli Nadate of Malinao, Aklan; Chynna Pajares of San Jose, Antique; Ma. Lyn Mae Balidiong of San Lorenzo, Guimaras and French Cayot of Bacolod City who participated also in the weeklong NCC activities.

During the NCC, children were taught about self-meditation, group discussion, problem-solving, arts, music, and dramas, among others. “This is one of the big opportunities that comes into our lives. We have learned a lot from the workshop which we could share it to others especially to my classmates”, said Chynna.

On the other hand, French also said that she has the happiest moment meddling with all the national delegates during the congress which she learned a lot about their different cultures, beliefs and traditions.

ENVIRONMENT CHAMPION

Situated just east of the north-central coast of Panay Island of Region 6, Roxas City, known as the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines” boasts of an abundance of fishes, crabs, oysters, shrimps, scallops and other shells. Only a three-hour drive from world-famous Boracay Island in Aklan, Roxas City makes a great side trip.

Its moniker charms local and foreign tourists alike to come and experience impressive yet inexpensive gastronomic delight solely identified with the locale. Naturally, the influx of visitors has resulted to the construction of many restaurants, beaches, hotels and malls. There is also a notable increase in number of ambulant vendors. Tricycles abound and in the center of the city, traffic is oftentimes, slow.

Progress in the city, as it is anywhere else, brings with it one of the most common problems people have today- garbage.

Garbage and its disposal are pressing problems in the area. These challenged Jopay, to advocate the importance of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3Rs) in her school and community.

Her father drives a trike and she understands that if cleanliness in the city is not maintained, tourism receipts will decrease. This will put a dent in the family income.

As much as proper garbage disposal is for sustainability, this is also a personal fight for her. Jopay, a Grade 8 student of Don Ynocencio A. Del Rosario National High School said “I want to show to other youths that regardless of our status in the society we can do something essential and meaningful.”

In school, she is the Public Information officer (P.I.O.) of the Supreme Student Government (SSG) and she leads her fellow students in worthwhile activities. One of the SSG’s projects is promoting the Plastic Bottle Policy. Students are advised to have their empty plastic bottle inside their bags. This will serve as their mobile garbage bin for candy wrappers, papers, pencil shavings and such. She said the project aims that the school will be garbage free by the end of this school year. Furthermore, SSG also initiated collecting plastic bottles and converted them into flower pots for growing herbs and vegetables.

She is not only an environment champion in school; she is a vanguard of change in her community as well. Known for her volunteerism and may masakit, Jopay was chosen by Barangay Dayao officials to be the youth representative when the Barangay Council created a Taskforce on Disasters. This is to strengthen the commitment of the community to act responsibly and respond quickly in times of emergencies.

Jopay’s major role is to gather the youth and rally for their commitment to help the taskforce. Some of their tasks are: fund raising activities, civilian volunteer action, tree planting and waste segregation. This young leader is also the co-founder of We Love Green, a barangay-based project helping school and the community to go green. The project intends to educate the youth and keep them vigilant regarding environmental issues.

Information dissemination on ways to protect Mother Nature is also on the list of their objectives. Mangrove planting at the Palina Greenbelt Eco Park in Brgy. Cagay, clean-up drive in Dayao and the surrounding barangay, and maintaining vegetable gardens along roads in their locality are just some of the worthwhile and fun activities of the We Love Green. “I believe that each one of us has our own role to play. The youth is important because we are the leaders of tomorrow,” she said.

Jopay’s work began from her elementary days where she led the crusade of vegetable gardening and beautification by planting ornamental plants within the school compound. These practices were later adopted by Dayao and neighboring barangays.

When 4Ps members were required to maintain backyard gardening to complement the additional cash grant of P 600 per month for rice subsidy, vegetable gardening became serious business in the community. Finally, Jopay’s advocacy is backed up by a force that propels the community, the 4Ps.

Despite the importance of segregation, the 3Rs and vegetable gardening, not everyone is into it. These practices need a strong advocacy campaign to let everyone understand that these programs are necessary for sustainability. “We are not only responsible for ourselves; we are especially accountable for the future generations,” said Jopay as she advised fellow teenagers, adding that “We have the power to inspire, mobilize and unite ourselves to take action on climate change.”

Roxas City is not just seafood lover’s heaven, it is home to Earth advocate, Jopay Pelayo. The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is proud of Jopay’s campaign. Truly, she sets the bar for the 21st century Filipino youth.//MGC