The National Bayani ka! awardees from across the Philippines were recognized for sending forth a ripple of hope for change during the 5th National Bayani ka! Awards.
Anchored on the theme “Padayon, Kalahi CIDSS,” the awarding ceremony was held on August 14 , 2019 at Almont Inland Resort, Butuan City.
Three Community Volunteer groups and two Local Government Units from Region VIII were heralded in different categories under the said Awards.
The Women’s Group and Farmer’s Association of Talalora Samar won the Gender and Development category for promoting gender equality in their community in advancing development.
The organization sell vegetables from their communal gardening at lower prices. From the income they got from communal gardening, they brought rice supplies in which Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries sell it to earn income.
On the other hand, the Local Government of Sulat, Eastern Samar is one of the winners for Improved Local Governance category, adopting Community-Driven Development through passing an ordinance.
Kalahi CIDSS program in Eastern Visayas was piloted at the municipality of Sulat in 2003.
Mahagna Water Beneficiaries Association of Abuyog Leyte was recognized under the Sustained Community Volunteers Group category. Through the collective action of the group, with the support of Barangay Local Government Unit , they were able to upgrade their Kalahi CIDSS-funded water system from level to level 3 in a span of one year since it was implemented in 2016. Later, it expanded to other sitios in the barangays.
However, the Municipality of Tabontabon in Leyte is one of the awardees for Environment and Protection category. Tabontabon, Leyte is the sole awardee for the region, for practicing Zero Waste Management.
Burauen Concerned Senior Citizens’ Association (CONSENCIA) in Burauen, Leyte was recognized in the Elderly sub-category. The group showed that age is not a hindrance to Community Volunteerism and that CDD is a living proof that it is reaching the marginalized sectors of the community.
In his speech, DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista considered the Community Volunteers as silent heroes in this generation.
Kalahi CIDSS , a flagship anti-poverty program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, advocates for community participation in governance. It uses Community-Driven Development (CDD) strategy which enables a shared vision and a harmonized voice of communities to development.
The success of CDD would not be possible without the stewards and safeguards of its gains-the Community Volunteers and partner LGUs. #
Representatives from each award:
Municipality of Sulat, Eastern Samar for Improved Local Governance
Ofelia Valera Norona-Social Welfare Assistant
Jesus Cris Villareal- Area Coordinator
Women’s Group and Farmer’s Association of Talalora Samar for Gender and Development
Nilda Rugal- Community Volunteer
Ma. Novelita Villarin- Regional Community Development Specialist
Mahagna Water Beneficiaries Association of Abuyog Leyte for Sustained Community Group
Hon. Alvin Ojeda- Brgy. Captain
Rosanna Barcelon- Community Volunteer
Burauen Concerned Senior Citizens’ Association (CONSENCIA) of Burauen, Leyte for Elderly
Dover Conde- Municipal Area Coordinator
Rene Copino- Assistant Municipal Area Coordinator
Atty.Aida Laruda- 4th National Bayani ka! awardee for Elderly
Municipality of Tabontabon in Leyte FOR Environment and Protection
Hon.Marie Nita Cervantes- SB member
Hon. Regina Ignacio-SB member
Teresita Estera- MSWDO