BATANGAS CITY, (PNA) -– The Alay Lakad Foundation Inc.– Batangas City chapter expressed its appreciation on Tuesday for the outpouring of support and financial contributions that reached the P1.5 million pesos mark in the recent “walk for a cause” activities led by the socio-civic organization and participating public and private groups.
In observance of its 41st anniversary, ALFI adopts the theme: “ Ang pusong Ala Eh, Lakad natin ito. Nagbubuklod, Nagtataguyuod ng Kabataang Batangueño.”
Batangas Governor Vilma Santos Recto expressed elation for the sustained joint undertakings, cooperation and unity among the Batangueños to help those who are in need and the less privileged youth sector in our midst.
The Batangas provincial government supports the ALFI’s yearly “walk for a cause” every September to raise funds to uplift the lives of the youth especially the Batangueño out-of-school youths.
Lyanda Bolilla, ALFI Batangas Chpater president, thanked the overwhelming support not only from the national and local government agencies but also from the private sector, non-government organizations, socio-civic groups and other civic-spirited citizens.
For school year 2013-2014, ALFI has supported 48 scholars where 23 beneficiary students are currently enrolled in secondary schools while the 25 student recipients are in college.
A total of P557,500 educational assistance has been allocated for the scholars from June until December this year.
ALFI has earmarked the funds for the benefit of scores of poor but deserving college and high school students here with their additional P1,000 pesos educational allowance per month for the school year 2013-2014.
For four decades, the Alay Lakad Foundation has since provided educational assistance and scholarships for poor students.
Under the Alay Lakad educational program, the student applicant must be financially-handicapped and is required to maintain an average grade of 85% to sustain the scholarship.
The Foundation was initiated as a walk-for-a-cause project in Metro Manila in 1972 by then the Department of Social Welfare (now DSWD) in cooperation with the Boy and Girl Scouts organizations in the country.
In 1973, then First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos as the elected Honorary Chairperson led the official launch nationwide.
The “walk for a cause” project expanded to include government agencies such as then Ministry of Education and Culture and Sports (now DepEd), Ministry of Local Government and Community Development (now DILG), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the National Media Center (now the PIA) from the government sector.
The joint undertaking soon drew the support of various private sector organizations such as the JCI Philippines (Philippine Jaycees), Rotary International, Lions and the Kiwanis Club, the Young Women’s Christian Association (YMCA), the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) and the Philippine Red Cross.