Cebu Pacific spreads wings to Nayon ng Kabataan

Cebu Pacific (CEB), noted for its various breakthroughs in the local airline industry like fun games on board (fun flights) and on-time flight (sometimes even ahead of time), has again engaged in charity work, sharing its blessings and accomplishments gained throughout the year.

Every Christmas, CEB employees bring joy to the children of Nayon ng Kabataan (NK) in Welfareville, Mandaluyong City. A project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), NK is a national center for youth with special needs. It currently serves as home to 234 children aged 7 to 17 years old, who are – abandoned, neglected, abused, orphaned, exploited or maltreated.

Small cottages around the compound, neat and well-maintained by the children themselves, are their temporary haven.

"We look at what the children need and we try to provide them with whatever we can manage to give through the help of the people and organizations like Cebu Pacific," said Charito Paraan, directress of Nayon ng Kabataan. "We have a team of social workers, psychologists, teachers, medical practitioners and house parents who help us in taking care of the children."

Aside from shelter and basic needs, the center also provides legal and educational assistance of the children as well as helps them develop their talents and skills.

Only recently, the children underwent training in cologne-making, candle-making, basic electricity and wedding seminars. Aside from this, the kids also trained to be boy and girl scouts, gaining knowledge in disaster coordination and first aid.

"The relationship between CEB and Nayon ng Kabataan, which began in 1999, stemmed from the collective efforts of CEB executives. These were focused towards the basic needs of children and what the airline can do to help provide these essentials," said Bong Mojica, CEB general manager.

"Realizing the importance of protecting and respecting the rights of the children, CEB came upon a DSWD facility operating within the airport area that serves as a halfway house for displaced children," he added.

The endeavor commenced in 1999 when the company facilitated the installation of a communication system that made inter-cottage communication inside the compound possible.

Television sets to replace the old inoperative units in the various cottages were donated the following year, along with medicines. On their third year, a lawn mower, stainless steel eating utensils and medicines were the company’s gifts to the kids.

It was in 2002 when Nayon ng Kabataan transferred to their current location in Welfareville, Mandaluyong City after about 32 years in Pasay City, prompting CEB to donate their floor polishers to help clean and prepare the cottages.

Last year CEB donated R50,000 worth of PTB (Pulmonary Tuberculosis) drugs to the kids. It was also the year when the company helped fly three brothers to Davao to be reunited with their relatives after three years of staying here in Manila for treatment for hemophilia.

Christmas is extra special for CEB and the kids. To show their appreciation for these blessings, every year the kids prepare an exclusive Christmas program especially for CEB.

In turn, CEB collects loads of toys and other items all wrapped up for the holidays from volunteer employees and executives. During the program, the kids will then impress CEB employees with their especially prepared production numbers.

"Support for institutions that protect the welfare of children, like Nayon will continue to be a core component of CEB’s commitment to the nation and society," Mojica said.