UPV- JPIA first place in 3rd TAYO competition

By Wein P. Gadian

TAYO Finalist at Malacañang Palace last June 27, 2005

The youth of today possess great potential to institute and begin various programs that will benefit their communities. As individuals with strong minds, idealism, and vigor, they can make great things happen in their communities. With their collective efforts as organizations, they will have the capacity to wholly take on the challenges of nation building.

This is what the National Youth Commission (NYC) , together with various partner-agencies, joined hands for a new and timely endeavor to benefit the youth sector of the Philippines. Thus the search for Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) was launched in September 2002. This year, the NYC, together with the Office of Senate Majority Leader Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan, organizers of the 3 rd Search for the TAYO, announces the culmination of the selection process with the recognition of the ten chosen organizations in Malacañang last June 27, 2005.

JPIA'ns with Prof. Mary Rose Rebueno

The TAYO search started from 120 entries on its first year, the second year yielded 145 youth organizations waiting to be recognized. This year, it made the rounds in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and the NCR, and lauded 10 finalists per area, out of which 5 winners represented the area to the National Finals, bringing the message of unity and dynamism of the youth sector across the country.

This year, UPV–JPIA Inc. (University of the Philippines in the Visayas – Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants Inc.) bests other contenders from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and NCR. UPV–JPIA is a local chapter member of the national JPIA. It's an organization of academically competent and well rounded accounting students who are committed and socially relevant leaders of the school and community. It is also a consistent most outstanding organization of the region.

The TAYO search encourages the selection of projects that can be replicated in other parts of the country by other youth organizations. And in effect, it also aims to become a venue for “best practices” sharing. UPV – JPIA's project entry entitled “We make Accounting Work” is t rue to its slogan, this high impact project has changed the operations of six (6) agricultural cooperatives in Janiuay, Mina and Maasin, Iloilo. Twenty-seven JPIAn volunteers bring the rudiments of accounting to these people's organizations to help them simplify their daily transaction records and financial operation reports.

Monthly Evaluation

They instituted simple book keeping and set-up a simple financial statement system to the following cooperatives namely: Sitio Ambulong Young and Old Association (SAYOA), Dala Small Farmers and Farmworkers Association, Tambal Small Farmers and Farmworkers Association, Kauswagan sa Kaumhan Multi- Purpose Cooperative (KKMPC), Carawdan Integrated Farmers Association (CIFA) and the Danao Center for Small Farmers Association.

The group coordinated with an alumnus JPIAn who is the internal auditor of these and other cooperatives. And from March 2004 to March 2005, UPV-JPIA went to these cooperatives teaching simple book keeping and financial statement (FS) system to help coop management. And since the theories of accounting are in English, the group has to translate everything in dialect. With support from their two advisers namely Professor Mary Rose Rebueno and Professor Mariel Elizaga, they were able to realize their plans.

JPIA Volunteers with TASFFA Officers

UPV-JPIA's effort has opened these COOPs to make their monthly FS that the government requires. The COOPs has also benefited from the trainings UPV-JPIA have provided. With the trainings, the SAYOA have constructed a training center, develop a road going to their town, and also has vermiculture (organic fertilizer making). DALA ventured into salted eggs production, TAMBAL, CIFA, DALA were into pre and post harvest equipment lending. The other coops DANAO, KKMPC and SAIWA were into savings and credit lending. Further UPV-JPIA signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the six cooperatives to sustain their project.

JPIAn Jimelson Ordaniel, 2004 President said, “It was the fun of teaching accounting that made us continue with our project even before the TAYO competition.”

It was indeed fun that brought the volunteers 27 together namely: Jimelson Ordaniel, Ivan Ballarta, Mark Macalisang, Mary Kathryn Quiñon, Vincent De Guzman, Frediezel Galleto, Kriss Encarguez, Tricia Justine Reteracion, Evonnie Ganancial, Vincent Bedia, J'nabellard Gustillo, Shawze Recabar, Marigold Trocho, Charlotte Job, Josephine Pargonotan, Jossen Dondoyano, Anndie Clavel, Ardian Garcia and Ryan Mardal.

This year's TAYO awardees are: Benguet State University – Development Communication Society (CAR), Sining Bulakenyo – Pangkat Mananayaw ng Bulacan (Region III), Young Artists Fellowship for the Environment (Region IV), University of the Philippines in the Visayas – Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (Region VI), Western Visayas State University – Political Science Students' Organization (Region VI), Mindanao Polytechnic State College – State College Mathematics Society (Region X), Beehive 4-H Club (Region XII), Save Mindanao Volunteers, Inc. (CARAGA), Kabataang Gabay ng Bayan (NCR) and Kanlungan – Kilusan para sa Kalikasan (NCR).

All winners will be given a grant of fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) and a specially crafted trophy by notable artist Toym Imao.

The finalists for the TAYO National Finals are: University of the Cordilleras – Supreme Student Government (CAR); Tanghalang Lepanto – Benguet (CAR); Gil Montilla National High School YECS – LCAO (Region 6); Teatro Kabataan sa Southern Leyte (Region 8); Young Catholic Movement - Sogod (Region 8); Mlang Youth Association (Region 12); Anak ng Tribo (Region 10); Mu Sigma Phi Sorority-UP Manila ; San Beda Dragon Boat Rowing Society ; and the UP Special Education Council (Diliman, Quezon City).

The following special awards were given: United Nations Resident Coordinator Millennium Development Goals Award – Save Mindanao Volunteers, Inc.; Microsoft Partners in Learning Innovate Award – Gil Montilla National High School YECS-LCAO; and Coke Barkada Award – Young Artists' Fellowship for the Environment.

The TAYO Search encourages more young people to find innovative solutions and to challenge status quo through the organizations to which they belong. As movers in their communities, they can, through simple, replicable projects, make a difference in the lives of the people they desire to serve and in the cause they choose to espouse.

The Search for Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations aims to recognize, reward, and encourage contributions made by groups of young Filipinos. This will be accomplished through identifying outstanding youth organizations, clubs, and societies with well crafted, highly applicable, and effective programs.

The youth is indeed the hope of our fatherland. Like UPV-JPIA, let us continue to support youth- related activities and find means to help in nation building.