The Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar SIPAG) through its program, the Villar SIPAG Awards, honored 11 groups that emerged as Most Outstanding Youth Social Enterprises at ceremonies held at the Villar SIPAG Hall in Las Piñas City.
Senator Cynthia Villar, director of Villar SIPAG, said the program is her “family’s way of recognizing the efforts of the youth in creating positive change in our society.”
“This is our way of supporting empowerment of our young people.”
“This is our way of supporting empowerment of our young people with the hope of further encouraging them and also inspiring others to significantly contribute to our goals as a nation,” Villar said.
Now on its third year, the Villar SIPAG Awards, is a friendly competition among young Filipinos whose social enterprises contribute in alleviating poverty in their respective communities.
Candidates for the awards are groups composed of college or graduate students; out-of-school youth; young professionals; social enterprise groups; young entrepreneurs; youth organizations; and other community organizations.
After going through a thorough evaluation, comprehensive screenings and rational project defense, finalists were selected according to originality and uniqueness of service or product; adaptability; sustainability; and community upliftment.
Awardees received a cash prize of P150,000.
Each awardee receives a cash prize of P150,000 to help their projects and initiatives on poverty alleviation.
Recipients of the award for this year are The Cultivators 4-H Ers Club of Ilocos Sur Prison Jail (Bantay, Ilocos Sur), Quirinian Youth In Action (Qurino, Isabela), 4-H Club- Goa Chapter/ Goa Young Farmers Association (Goa, Camarines Sur), Tanay Mountaineers Inc. (Tanay, Rizal), Ulama League for Call and Guidance. Inc. (Barangay 648, Manila), Saving Innocent Lives Amidst War (Leon, Iloilo), Youth for Livable Communities (Beverly Hills, Cebu City), Family Help Project (Merida, Leyte), Quiniput 4-H Club (Quiniput, Zamboanga), Food Secure Philippines (Midsayap, North Cotabato), and Power Se7en (Limaha, Butuan City).