Paz leads Alay-Lakad in Lapu-Lapu

CEBU, Philippines – Instilling youth empowerment to the children of Lapu-Lapu City is what Mayor Paz Radaza is trying to achieve in order to live up to the town's brand identity through participating the annual Alay-Lakad.

"We walk to give hope to our out-of-school youths," Radaza said in a statement.

She said through participating the activity for an education cause, the one-hour walk will help support 138 out-of-school youths.

Different groups participated in the event that shared the same vision for giving the youth a light of hope to finish their studies and hone their desired skills to contribute something to society.

Radaza said she believes that the well-educated populace can further spur progress of the city, thus the youth, as inheritors of the town, should be trained by giving them the right to learn and grow.

The mayor admitted that education is not enough, saying "we have to lay down the basic foundation of what we dream this city to be before this is handed to the generation that follows."

With the recent launch of the city's brand, Radaza emphasized to live up to the city's promise to have world-class amenities and to inculcate the attitude of hospitability among the youth.

The police force, Department of Education officials, teachers, barangay officials, non-government organizations and the city government made their share in advocating youth empowerment through the Alay-Lakad event.