Aklan Catholic College JPIA is TAYO awardee
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – Aklan Catholic College-Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (ACC-JPIA) was honored as one of the recipients of the 9th Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO).

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III handed the awards to the 10 winning youth organizations in ceremonies held at Malacanang’s Heroes’ Hall on October 27.

ACC-JPIA, which was formed in 2004, helped four selected cooperatives in the province of Aklan in their accounting functions and business operations.

Boracay Ati Multi-purpose Cooperative, run by nuns, was assisted by the ACC-JPIA student volunteers. They also helped the Aetas of the basic mathematics and the fundamentals of accounting.

The project “A CPA: Assisting Cooperatives’ Proficiency in Accounting” made an impact to the chosen cooperatives but also to student volunteers who shared their knowledge to the underprivileged Aetas in Boracay Island.

ACC JPIA, an accredited student organization of Aklan Catholic College, aims to strengthen academic competence, instill optimal growth, eagerness and attitude, and develop camaraderie among its members.

Other awardees are Industrial Engineering Council; the Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA); the Youth Solidarity for Peace-Peace Advocates Zamboanga; Association of Locally-Empowered Youth in Northern Mindanao; Alyansa ng mga Kristiyanong Mag-aaral-Responsible nga Balikatan han mga Kabataan (AKMA-RESBAK); Indak Kabataan Youth Organization; University of the Cordilleras-Hapiyoh Mi Cultural Group; Young Mindanawans Peace Builders and the AUL Stage (Sama-samang Tinig ng mga Aktor na Gumagalaw sa Entablado).

Special awards were also given out to the Kairos Band (Coke Barkada Award) and the Association of Locally Empowered Youth in Northern Mindanao (Lenovo’s Most Innovative Award).

The winners received P50,000 cash grant to fund their ongoing or future projects and a specially handcrafted trophy.

The annual Tayo search is organized by the Tayo Awards Foundation, National Youth Commission, and Office of Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan in cooperation with the Coca-Cola Foundation.

Also supporting the search are the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, Philippine Information Agency, Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation, and the Philippine Center of Young Leaders in Governance Foundation, Inc.

The annual search is open to all groups, organizations, clubs and societies whose membership and leadership are composed of at least 15 members who are 15 to 30 years old.

Since 2002, over 1000 youth organizations have joined the annual Search for the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations and are now part of the fast-growing TAYO youth network.

The awardees are either school or community-based organizations whose innovative projects and achievements have been deemed effective in the development in the field of education, livelihood and entrepreneurship, community service, technology, health, media, arts and culture, and the environment.