The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Del Gallego, Camarines Sur, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V – Bicol Region through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) initiated Laro ng Lahi for community volunteers and barangay officials in celebration of Filipino culture and Bayanihan spirit last November 26, 2024.

The event gathered 200 community volunteers, barangay officials, municipal officials, and Area/Municipal Coordinating Teams (A/MCTs) who participated in games like Patintero, Tug of War, Sungka, and Tumbang Preso.

Del Gallego Area Coordinator Romwel A. Macinas explained the importance of strengthening community engagement for people to participate.

“…ang community engagement kailangan mong patibayin papunta doon sa community empowerment. Kasi the moment na engage yung tao sa program, mas committed sila na mag-participate doon sa program,” he shared.

(Community engagement is what you need to strengthen to move toward community empowerment. Because the moment people are engaged in the program, they become more committed to participating in it.)

The activity was also an opportunity to recognize the priceless efforts of volunteers and local officials from the 32 barangays who devoted their time and energy to the program.

According to Annabelle U. Nogpo, 59, Barangay Development Council – Technical Working Group (BDC-TWG) chairperson of San Juan, Del Gallego, Camarines Sur, she has reminisced her childhood years by joining in the traditional games.

“…para po sa akin parang nabuhay yung kapanahunan na dalaga pa ako na naglalaro kami noong mga kaibigan ko or mga kababata ko or mga kapatid ko,” she said.

(For me, it feels like reliving the time when I was still a young, playing with my friends, childhood peers, or siblings.)

The volunteer highlighted that the event provided an avenue for the community volunteers from various barangays to foster teamwork and collaboration.

“…dahil kami po ay volunteers, ibayong pakikiisa at pagtutulungan lang po ang kailangan natin. Pagkakaisa para matupad po yung pinapangarap natin sa ating mga barangay; maging masipag lang tayo lalo pagdating sa mga trainings and seminars. Kailangan andoon lang tayo para maging mabilis po yung proseso ng pag-iimplement ng ating project,” Anabelle said to her co-volunteers.

(Since we are volunteers, we need strong unity and cooperation. It’s through solidarity and hard work that we can achieve the dreams we have for our barangays. We need to be diligent, especially when it comes to trainings and seminars. We need to be present so that the process of implementing our project can move more quickly.)

The event concluded with an awarding ceremony wherein the following exemplary community volunteers were recognized for their outstanding performance in implementing community-identified projects.

  • Most Outstanding Treasurer for the National Community-Driven Development Program – Additional Financing (NCDDP – AF) Phase 2 Implementation

CRISTINA R. VILLELA

  • Most Outstanding Treasurer for the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) Implementation

MARICHU O. SAMILLANO

  • Most Exceptional Community Nutrition Subproject Management Committee (CNSPMC) Chairperson for the PMNP Implementation

ARNEL F. PALLE

  • Most Exceptional Barangay Development Council – Technical Working Group (BDC-TWG) Chairperson for the NCDDP AF Phase 2 Implementation

BIANCA C. RESTAR

  • Best Barangay during the KALAHI CIDSS Implementation

BRGY. MAGAIS I

  • Best in Implementation (PMNP)

BRGY. MAGAIS I

  • Best in Implementation for NCDDP AF Phase 2 (Provision Type Sub-Project)

BRGY. MABINI

  • Best in Implementation for NCDDP AF Phase 2 (Infrastructure Type Sub-Project)

BRGY. SAN JUAN

The municipality of Del Gallego has been implementing KALAHI-CIDSS for 12 years under different modalities such as NCDDP, Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KKB), PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) and PMNP establishing strong commitment and was able to engage and capacitate 1,058 community volunteers.