Alay Lakad today

Government officials, civic leaders and business leaders will gather today at the Quirino Grandstand for the annual Alay-Lakad which is on its 32nd year.

Alay-Lakad president Frank Evaristo said this year’s hope that the entire nation would be aware of the plight of out-of-school youths and at the same time support this disadvantaged sector to obtain a better life.

He said that for the past decades, this has been the advocacy of Alay-Lakad and that the foundation would need help to address the problem of widespread poverty in the country.

The nationwide annual Alay-Lakad is the signature fundraising project of the Alay-Lakad Foundation Inc. It involves the participation of various sectors, business establishments, local government units and socio-civic organizations to walk some two to 10 kilometers as a symbol of solidarity toward the promotion of its key advocacy and enabling and empowering the out-of-school youth to become responsible and productive citizens.

This year’s host is the Kiwanis International Philippine Luzon District under district governor Jess Navarro, with former Kiwanis Club president Richard Agbayani as chair of the National Coordinating Committee for Walk 2004.

Proceeds of the fundraising campaign will go to out-of-school youth beneficiaries nationwide, particularly in Metro Manila and the lahar-devastated Pampanga and Zambales.

The foundation has approved and released this year the educational assistance to numerous beneficiaries from Metro Manila, Batangas and Mindoro.