The Industrial Engineering Council of Cebu Institute of Technology-University was honored one of the national awardees of the 9th Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) by President Benigno Aquino III at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang Palace last Oct. 27.
Out of the more than 200 entries nationwide, the council made it to the finals with their entry “Project NOWTBUKS” (NOW is the Time to Build Up Kids for Sustainability).
The project aims to recycle used papers that are dumped in offices. Student-volunteers cut and punched the scratch paper, which were then transported to public high school students for them to stitch.
“We impart the skill to the kids. When one does a project, one has to mobilize people,” said Roxanne Hernaez, president of the IE Council.
The council represented the Visayas Region for the 9th TAYO Nationals during the TAYO Week.
Capacity building tasks, seminars and trainings highlighted the weeklong celebration.
Speakers included youth leader Omi Castanar, Education Undersecretary Lino Rivera and New Media Expert Carlo Ople.
Twenty finalists representing youth organizations presented their projects to the panel of 14 judges.
Among the judges were Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, TAYO Awards Foundation president Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino and National Youth Commission chairman Leon Flores.
The IE council received a P50,000 cash grant, P2,500 worth of gift certificates from Jollibee, a Lenovo Idea Pad and a specially sculpted trophy by artist Toym de Leon Imao.
Hernaez said, “TAYO is also a way for us to create linkages with other youth organizations all over the country. Right now, we are collaborating with other youth organization finalists on the project.”