Once again, the world took notice of the “bayanihan” spirit that Filipinos are known for when Mr. Efren Peñaflorida, the 2008 Search For Outstanding Volunteer (SOV) awardee, brought home the CNN 2009 Hero of the Year Award. Efren proved that volunteerism works and it brings out the “hero” in all of us. With the entire country fresh from the euphoria from the honor received by our volunteer hero, the month of December which has been designated as National Volunteer Month (NVM) is a timely sequel to remember and recognize the many “Efren Peñafloridas” in our midst.
As a way of recognition, the government through the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) conducts the annual Search for Outstanding Volunteers (SOV). Since 2001, SOV has become the centerpiece of NVM celebration bringing to public attention best practices of volunteers working in quiet oblivion. This year, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will confer the national awards to three (3) individuals and four (4) organizations on December 10, 2009 at the Malacañang Palace. To join the President in presenting the awards are Mr. Ricky E. Reyes, Jr., 2009 NVM Honorary Chair, Acting Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning and NEDA Director-General Augusto B. Santos and PNVSCA Executive Director Joselito C. de Vera.
Among the awardees are two (2) individuals who show the world that volunteerism cuts across the limits of age. They are retirees who never relent in their desire to serve their communities - Mrs. Marita G. Bumatay, a volunteer teacher at the Muslim community in Cavite and Celestino F. Desamito, a retired colonel of the Philippine Army who helps the local government of Koronadal City, North Cotabato in the development of land use and solid waste management plans and other local governance initiatives.
Volunteerism however, is more than an individual personal conviction. Joining the ranks of the awardees are three (3) organizations that demonstrated organized volunteering as a collective modality for social change. These are the Tuklasan at Ugnayan ng Kultura, Lahi at Sining ng mga Katutubo (Tuklas Katutubo) that works on the preservation of indigenous culture; Mag-uugmad Foundation whose innovative farming technologies assist marginalized farmers in Cebu, and Philex Mining Corporation of Baguio City that has established its volunteering niche in search and rescue operations as part of its corporate social responsibility.
A Special Citation will be presented to the Voluntary Service Overseas- Philippines (VSOP), a foreign volunteer organization and partner of PNVSCA that has been deploying foreign volunteers in the Philippines since 1968. VSOP will be completing its program in the Philippines in March 2010.
This year also, Dr. Ledevina V. Cariño, will be the recipient of a posthumous Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award (VLAA). Dr. Cariño was one of the pioneer organizers of the University of the Philippines – Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, UP’s volunteer program. As Pahinungod’s first System Director, Dr. Cariño’s leadership was anchored on Pahinungod’s mission of a caring academic community and selfless service to the nation.
NVM also serves as a call to everyone to volunteer in one way or another to make a difference in society. Another significant activity is the celebration of the International Volunteer Day (IVD) on December 5. IVD celebration revs off with the international theme “Volunteering for the Planet” and will focus on clean-up activities in Marikina City in the morning and in the Las Piñas – Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area in the afternoon. The activity is a collaborative effort of foreign and local volunteers in the Philippines.
Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA)
NEDA Complex, EDSA, Quezon City
Telephone: 435 7999; 385 1729 Email: ppis.pnvsca@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.pnvsca.gov.ph
Contact Person: Mr. Efren Antiporda
