Beverage firm Coca-Cola has given the Coke Barkada Award to two youth groups in Negros Occidental and Tawi-Tawi that championed improvements in their respective communities.
Under the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO), the Negros Occidental chapter of the Red Cross Youth (RCY) and the Kilusan Para sa Kalikasan (KKK) received the Coke Barkada Awards for 2020 and 2019, respectively.
“The renewed sense of social responsibility, rightfully taking spotlight especially in the Philippines, also highlights the impact that the youth sector can collectively make in the face of challenges and adversity,” Coca-Cola said in a statement.
RCY has pushed for a cleaner and safer province to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) by repurposing 31 used steel drums as hand washing facilities, or what they called “drumvatory”.
The group installed the “drumvatories” in populated locations across Negros Occidental, such as hospitals, health centers, local government units, and establishments.
The “drumvatories” are used about 4,000 times in a single day.
KKK, meanwhile, spearheaded a community-based solid waste management program and bio-intensive gardening for the Badjao community.
The group is composed of students from the Mindanao State University–Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography.
Their programs involve the installation of waste bins near the residences of tribal leaders.
“Every year, we are ignited with a light of hope emanated by our Coke Barkada awardees and their projects. Much like our own company initiatives, these efforts aim to address the immediate and long-term needs of communities, proving that even the youth can play a part in making a positive impact on the lives of others,” Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines president Cecille Alcantara said.*PNA
