The Department of Social Welfare and Development Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS) recognized the exceptional contributions of community volunteers and partners during the 9th Regional BayanI Ka! Awards on Thursday, August 10 at Villa Caceres Hotel, Naga City, Camarines Sur.

The awarding ceremony with the theme, “Kasaro sa Sama-Samang Pagkilos” underscored the collaborative efforts of community volunteers and Local Government Units (LGUs) to create a lasting and positive impact in the communities through the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach.

Regional Director Norman S. Laurio highlighted the significance of compassionate and collective action of stakeholders in uplifting the lives of Bicolanos.

“This recognition isn’t just about honoring the community volunteers and partners, but about recognizing the entire region’s spirit of commitment and compassion,” Director Laurio remarked.

At least 350 participants comprised of community volunteers, local chief executives, LGU officials, DSWD Field Office, KALAHI-CIDSS National and Regional Program Management Offices attended the said event.

The awardees were selected through a virtual desk review held on July 5, 2023 with a panel of judges composed of partner-agency representatives and a media partner.

Each regional awardee received a development incentive worth PhP 10,000.00 and a plaque of recognition.

Here is the full list of awardees:

Ms. Ave O. Ibañez, regional awardee under Exceptional Volunteerism category delivers her acceptance speech during the 9th Regional BayanI Ka! Awards on August 10, 2023 at Villa Caceres Hotel, Naga City, Camarines Sur

One of the notable awardees who stood out for their exceptional volunteerism is Ave O. Ibañez, a community volunteer of Barangay Balocawe, Dimasalang, Masbate.

She explained that being a community volunteer is a commitment to serve the community members.

“Sa akin ang pagiging community volunteer ay parang isang pag-ibig. Dadaan sa ups and downs pero kung tunay mong mahal hindi ka bibitaw at lalo mo itong mamahalin,” she stated.

(For me, being a community volunteer is like love. It will undergo ups and downs but if you truly love it, you will never give up and love it even more.)

Ave also considered her volunteerism as the best legacy for the next generations, and it also served as proof that each person has a role in the community.

ABOUT DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS

DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS is a poverty alleviation program that uses the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach that helps communities in poor municipalities to identify challenges along poverty, make informed decisions and gives control of resources to address local poverty.

Currently, there are five (5) modalities namely, National Community-Driven Development Program – Additional Financing (NCDDP – AF), PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA), Balik-Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) Program, Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay – Cash for Work (KKB-CFW) and Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) being implemented in 97 municipalities or cities of Bicol Region.