QCU and PLP Join Forces to Empower Out-of-School Youth
Quezon City University (QCU) and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig (PLP) have partnered to address the challenges faced by out-of-school youth (OSY) in Pasig City during a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing held at the PLP Main Campus in Pasig City on April 30, 2024.
This collaboration aims to empower local barangay leaders and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials in supporting OSYs through the United States International Agency (USAID)-funded Executive Course for Barangay Leaders on Systems Delivery Support for the Out-of-School Youth (BLeSDS for the OSY).
A key aspect of the partnership is the Training of Trainers (ToT) program, which will create a group of skilled instructors capable of disseminating the BLeSDS for the OSY curriculum to local community leaders. By expanding the program’s reach through trained trainers, QCU and PLP aim to ensure the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of interventions for OSYs.
Dr. Glicerio Maningas, President of PLP, expressed optimism about the collaboration and thanked QCU, led by Dr. Atienza, for choosing to partner with PLP. He believes that the collaboration between the two institutions will greatly benefit their communities.
“Salamat sa QCU at kay Dr. Atienza sa pagpili sa PLP bilang inyong ka-partner sa proyektong ito. Ang pagtutulungan ng PLP at QCU ay lalong makakatulong para sa ating mga komunidad lalo na sa mga OSY,” said Dr. Maningas.
Carlo Fernando, Higher Education Learning Specialist from USAID-EDucation Development Center, emphasized the crucial role of higher education institutions in providing opportunities for OSYs. He also mentioned that this grant is the second one given to QCU under the same program, as the first grant proved successful.
“USAID-EDC gave our first tranche of support to QCU last year and they were very successful. We are truly grateful that QCU chose an equally strong higher education institution in the form of PLP, which took the challenge. We believe that with the leadership of Mayor Joy Belmonte of Quezon City and Mayor Vico Sotto of Pasig City, education will be the key to solving many of the pressing challenges of our OSY,” Mr. Fernando stated.
Angelito Bautista Jr., Director of QCU Research Management Office, provided background information about the project and the partnership between QCU and PLP. He emphasized that the TOT is focused on sustaining the project and ensuring that more communities benefit through a multiplier effect approach.
“The project demonstrates our commitment to empowering out-of-school youth (OSYs) to contribute to their communities,” stated Mr. Bautista.
Adding significance to the event, Mayor Vico Sotto of Pasig City was the guest of honor. He delivered an inspiring message, emphasizing the importance of empowering barangay officials to be effective public servants. Mayor Vico thanked QCU for sharing their best practices through PLP and highlighted the value of collaboration and learning from others.
“Sa LGU level, lagi nating sinasabi na kapag meron tayong best practices, meron tayong expertise, kapag may nalalaman tayo, dapat hindi tayo madamot. Pag may nakita tayong mas magaling kesa sa atin, dapat magpakumbaba tayo and learn from them. Salamat QCU for your initiative to share your knowledge t owith us in Pasig City.” Mayor Vico emphasized.
Mayor Vico also thanked USAID for their projects in Pasig City and expressed his excitement about implementing the current project. He explained that this program focuses on empowerment and differs from short-term handout programs, enabling trainers and barangay leaders to develop programs tailored to their communities.
“Excited po at natutuwa ako sa programang ito for two reasons: una, kasi ito ay collaboration ng iba’t ibang ahensa at opisina to learn from one another. Pangalawa, pagdating sa programang ito, ang pinaguusapan natin dito ay empowerment. Kasi pwede tayong gumawa ng programa for the OSY pero itong program ito ay naiiba dahil hindi lang sya basta programang panandalian o dole-out. Ito ay nag-eempower ng mga trainers, ng mga barangay leaders to develop more programs that are more suited into their communities,” he explained.
Dr. Theresita Atienza, President of QCU, shared in her post-MoU signing message that PLP was top of mind when QCU was deciding who would be its institutional partner for the project, primarily because of its city mayor, who is known, like Mayor Joy, for his commitment to driving positive change and advocating for the welfare of its citizens.
She also believes that the partnership between QCU and PLP will bring significant benefits, not only for the personal growth of the faculty members who will participate as trainees, but also for the communities they will serve. Furthermore, this partnership will emphasize the important role that local universities like QCU and PLP should play in empowering local leaders.
“Part of our responsibility is to empower our barangay officials. We, as HEIs, should serve as a link for the knowledge and skill of the barangay officials,” Dr. Atienza ended.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between QCU and PLP is a significant milestone in supporting out-of-school youth (OSY) in Pasig City. Dr. Atienza represented QCU, while Dr. Maningas represented PLP. Mr. Fernando and Mayor Vico served as witnesses.
The QCU-PLP partnership will focus on training selected faculty members and employees of PLP through a five-day extensive training and workshop. This training will cover topics on how to plan, manage, and implement the BLeSDS program for OSY, as well as how to deliver the executive course. After the ToT, PLP will implement the 1.5-month BLeSDS for the OSY executive course in Pasig City with the support of QCU.
Funded through the Opportunity 2.0 GAIN Grant of the USAID-Education Development Center, the course draws on the Bridging Leadership Framework and the Positive Youth Development Approach by USAID with the aim to address the gaps and issues affecting OSYs in Pasig City.
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