ILOILO City – Seven community volunteers in Western Visayas were recognized for their exemplary contributions in the implementation of Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) projects of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the region this year.
With the theme “Bahandi sang Kalahi”, the 5th Regional Bayani Ka Awards was held on Nov. 23 at Hotel del Rio here.
The winners per category were the following:
* Improved Local Governance – Ferdinand C. Selloriquez (Barangay Sub-project Management Committee or BSPMC of Inagdangan Sur, Zarraga, Iloilo)
* Elderly – Leonoro Roberto Jr. (BSPMC of Inyawan, Libertad, Antique)
* Gender and Development – Gemma T. Chicano (BSPMC of Catungan-Bugarot, San Jose, Antique)
* Environment Protection – Ramonito S. Sabug (BSPMC of Alomodias, Miag-ao, Iloilo)
* Indigenous Peoples Welfare – Elna Mallo (BSPMC of Dacal, San Enrique)
* Persons with Disability – Ma. Lea M. Carillo (BSPMC of Maspasan, Calinog, Iloilo)
* Sustained Community Volunteer – Ma. Alma Laredo (Treasurer of Barangay Bo. Calinog Farmers Association, Calinog, Iloilo)
The seven winners bested 30 other community volunteer nominees.
The Bayani Ka! Awards is the highest recognition given by DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS to exemplary communities and partners in implementing and promoting programs and projects via the community-driven development (CDD) approach.
DSWD assistant secretary Rhea Peñaflor, one of the guests of honor during the awarding ceremony, underscored the importance of community volunteerism in implementing the Kalahi projects.
“Ginapasidunggan sang DSWD kamo bilang aton mga heroes,” she told the community volunteers. “You are the wealth of Kalahi-CIDSS. Without volunteers, we will not be able to implement the programs and uplift the lives of the vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors.”
There were a total of 64,567 Kalahi-CIDSS community volunteers in the region.
In Aklan, there 5,592 volunteers of which 692 were Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino beneficiaries; Antique 12,587 (592 were Pantawid beneficiaries); Capiz 9,823 (452 were Pantawid beneficiaries); Iloilo 25,999 (1,246 were Pantawid beneficiaries); and Negros Occidental 7,812 (607 were Pantawid beneficiaries).
The nominees were judged according to the following criteria:
* Bisyon (15 percent) – The nominee is committed to the community’s shared vision and guides fellow residents in bridging the present to their desired future.
* Aksyon (20 percent) – The nominee decisively and consistently acts to promote compassionate, collective action in the community and achieve their shared goal. His/her actions exemplify selflessness and have positive impact in the community.
* Yakag (15 percent) – The nominee has successfully persuaded the community to actively participate in compassionate, collective action in and beyond DSWD-Kalahi-CIDSS.
* Abilidad (15 percent) – The nominee maximizes opportunities to exercise the residents’ skills and service for the benefit of the community.
* Nakikiisa (15 percent) –The nominee actively works to sustain and promote compassionate and collective action in the community, and thwarts divisive actions and tendencies that will break the unity of the people.
* Integridad at Inspirasyon (20 percent) – The nominee has unquestionable integrity that manifest in word and deed, which motivate people to continuously participate in collective action./PN
