Big hotels tie up with Unicef for the youth empowerment

Three leading hotels in Metro Manila namely the Pan Pacific Manila, Intercontinental Manila and the Westin Philippine Plaza partnered together with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to create a program to empower deprived, destitute but promising youth in the far-flung impoverished provinces.

The Youth Career Development Program (YCDP) is a project by the Pan Pacific Manila in its commitment to the community and dedication to advocated youth empowerment. Working closely with UNICEF, some LGUs and NGOs and the two participating hotels, Pan Pacific Manila aims to improve the quality of life of underprivileged youths by providing them skills that will bring them back to the mainstream of society.

The launching of the YCDP 2004 and the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement was held recently at the Intercontinental Manila. Present were the general managers of the participating hotels: Richard Masselin of Pan Pacific Manila, Stefan Voogel of the Intercontinental Manila and Shane Cunning of the Westin Philippines Plaza. Also present were Dr. Nicolas Alipui from the UNICEF, Margot Osmeña, chairperson of the Cebu Task Force on Street Children, Fr. Pierre Tritz, president of the ERDA Foundation, and Silvio Abaigar, executive director of the TATAG Foundation in Olongapo City.

A total of 15 youths have been screened and selected to undergo a 20-week education and training at the participating hotels. Ten will go to Pan Pacific Manila, three will be taken in by Intercontinental Manila and two by Westin Philippine Plaza. UNICEF will be responsible for their accommodation while in Manila. While the partner LGUs and NGOs will shoulder transportation requirements. Throughout the program, the trainees’ benefits include free meals, accommodation, uniforms, weekly allowance and medical assistance.