As a youth leader in Silang, Cavite, Melvin Josh Revilla has his hands full implementing projects and programs for the young people in his community.
“Mahirap po y’ung isang pagiging youth leader dahil nga po maraming mga kailangang gawin, maraming mga kailangang programang dapat ipatupad,” Revilla shared in a video segment during last Monday’s Sampung Libong Pag-asa program livestreamed on former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano’s Facebook page.
(It’s difficult being a youth leader because there’s so much to do and so many programs that need to be accomplished.)
When he was chosen to receive the 10K Ayuda from Cayetano’s program, he was able to turn his community’s dreams into a reality.
“Nung nagbigay po si Cong. Alan, naging madali magsagawa ng programa at proyekto para sa komunidad,” he said.
(When I received the aid from Congressman Alan, it became easier to start programs and projects for the community.)
Revilla used the cash assistance to fund and maintain his organization so it can continue to provide vital services for the youth and his whole community.
Thanks to Revilla’s dedication and ingenuity, his fellow youths can enjoy more projects to come.
“Y’ung sampung libo pong iyon ay malaking bagay po sa amin, na nabigyan po kami ng pagkakataon para mas maging aktibo pa po, dahil noong time na iyon, mahirap dahil nasa sitwasyon po tayo ng pandemic,” he said.
(The P10,000 was a big help for us. We were given a chance to be more active, especially because at the time, it was a difficult situation with the pandemic.)
Revilla’s role as a youth leader is critical in keeping his community away from societal ills such as e-sabong, of which Cayetano has been a vocal opponent.
Cayetano has consistently warned that the youth in particular can fall prey to these online gambling schemes.
Revilla’s dedication to serving his community has shown how much can happen to revitalize the lives of Filipinos if they are given assistance and a chance to thrive.
“Nagamit ko po ito sa tama, nagamit ko po ito sa maayos,” he said.
(I used the aid for the right thing, I used it in the right way.)
Cayetano has long been an advocate for the uplifting of disenfranchised sectors of Filipino society. His focus on the presyo, trabaho at kita (PTK) aspects of welfare have led to the creation of projects like Sampung Libong Pag-asa and its sister initiative, Sari-saring Pagasa, which aims to uplift struggling neighborhood stores. ####
