Speaking before over two hundred leaders of the PAG-ASA Youth Association of the Philippines Region Eight and Tacloban City chapters, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez urged the group of young people to “continue bonding,” and to “continue to be of service to the community.”

Romualdez was Guest of Honor in this week’s formal opening of the Photo Exhibit and Opening Program marking the 38th   year founding anniversary of the PYAP. The venue was at the Activity Center of Robinson’s Place – Tacloban.

The local chief executive lauded the members of the PYAP City Chapter, specially, for being active participants in nation-building. He encouraged them to continue with the good work, and ended his talk by emphasizing that the true test of leadership is public service.

In said three – day event, scented candles, detergent, and t-shirts with silkscreen printing were put to sale. These were the products the youths made from what they have learned in the skills trainings conducted this July.

The Pag-asa Youth Association of the Phillipines, Inc. or PYAP is a duly constituted barangay – based organization of the out-of school-youth between 15-24 years old who are clientele of the DSWD. Said DSWD Field Office Eight Director Leticia Diokno, the PYAP Federation of different levels serves as a strategy that provides forum to discuss youth issues and concerns related to their projects and come up with solutions/recommendations addressed to both the youth and other system involved in program planning and implementation.

She also expressed appreciation towards the leadership of City Social Welfare and Development Officer of Tacloban, Liliosa Baltazar, for having helped the DSWD develop a breed of dynamic young leaders. This year’s president of the city federation is Jovelyn Caganon, while Reden Sabela is regional federation president.