Activity raises P700,000 donations for Lapu-Lapu City government’s scholarship program
Around 25,000 people from the academe, government and private sector joined Lapu-Lapu City’s Alay Lakad 2017 for a cause last Sunday.
Participants gathered in three different assembly points in Maximo Patalijug Avenue, GY Dela Cerna Street and ML Quezon Highway starting 5:30 a.m. on Sunday and walked towards Lapu-Lapu City Hall for the program.
The Lapu-Lapu City policemen, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, MEPZ locators and other business establishments joined the yearly event to help raise funds for the scholarship program of the Lapu-Lapu City government.
Ermelita Degamo, City Social Welfare officer, said they were able to collect around P700,000 donations from the different individuals and private companies.
A program with songs and dances were presented at the City Hall grounds and selected donor companies were given opportunities to speak, offer their donations and be recognized.
The most colorful group were awarded to the City Treasurer’s Office (first place), Department of Education (second place) and City Attorney’s Office (third place).
The most disciplined group went to the City Mayor’s Office (first place), Lapu-Lapu City Fire District (second place) and Allied Force (third place).
The biggest delegation went to the Urban Poor Association, followed by Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino and Kababayen-ang Oponganon Nagkahiusa alang sa Kalambuan (Konka).
The Department of Education was awarded as the biggest donor, followed by PNP Lapu-Lapu and Day Care.
The highest individual donor was awarded to Norma Lobregas in the amount of P1,500.
Police conducted three checkpoints at the first and second bridge and in Barangay Basak to ensure the security of the event.
This year’s Alay Lakad activity had the theme “Tuloy pa rin ang Hakbang Para sa Kaunlaran ng mga Kabataan.”
The Alay Lakad program, which is now on its 17th year, started during the administration of former Lapu-Lapu City mayor and congressman Arturo Radaza to raise funds or seek sponsors for the studies of the city’s high school and college scholars who are financially incapacitated but deserving students.
Mayor Paz Radaza expressed her gratitude to all the participants.
In her speech, she said that based on the records from the City Social Welfare Office, the city has produced several graduates from the funds of the Alay Lakad. “We continue knocking on your hearts to help the less privileged and help them achieve their dreams,” said Radaza.