The Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan or Kalahi-CIDSS of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD FO VI) recently conducted its 5th Regional Bayani Ka! Awards to celebrate the gains and success of the program and to honor its exemplary community volunteers.
The Bayani Ka! Awards is the annual and highest recognition given by the DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS to the exemplary communities and partners in implementing and promoting the community-driven development (CDD) approach.
This year’s theme, Bahandi sang Kalahi, especially highlights the wealth of Kalahi-CIDSS – the community volunteers who are the people behind every challenges overcame and every championing moment.
“DSWD is honoring you, our community volunteers, as our heroes. You are our true wealth. Without you, Kalahi would not be able to implement the projects, we would not be able to uplift the lives of our fellow Filipinos who are poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged sector of the community,” says ASEC Rhea B. Pañaflor to the community volunteers.
The Bayani Ka! Awards seeks to recognize exemplary groups and individuals whose efforts significantly contributed to advancing Sama-samang Pagkilos Nang May Malasakit or compassionate, collective action in their respective municipalities.
The selection went through a rigorous process. This year, 35 participants from different municipalities were qualified as nominees for the 5th Regional Bayani Ka! Awards, were recognized into seven categories, and went through panel interview and final deliberation.
Six community volunteers prevailed for the Improved Local Governance Category namely, Pascual Remetio from New Washington, Aklan; Ferdinand Selloriquez from Zarraga, Iloilo; Jaime Apoyo from Sigma, Capiz; Felicitas Vilches from San Lorenzo, Guimaras; Jenel Afornon from Alimodian, Iloilo; and Elizabeth Langote from Culasi, Antique. All were identified by their respective municipalities as exemplary individuals who bring together the residents and their local government unit, and takes steps to ensure that people participation, government transparency and accountability are ensured.
Five senior community volunteers qualified for the elderly category. They were Adolfo Casorla from Alimodian, Iloilo; Margarita Edang from Sibunag, Guimaras; Engr. Norma Tianero from Pavia, Iloilo; Annie Calaycay from Nueva Valencia, Guimaras; and Leonoro Roberto Jr. from Libertad, Antique. The elderly participants were selected because they actively promote and engage their fellow senior citizens to participate in compassionate, collective action in the community.
For Gender and Development category, five community volunteers were nominated. The participants were Gemma T. Chicano, representing San Jose, Antique; Larah Joy Sta. Cruz of Alimodian, Iloilo; Rona Ladua of Maasin, Iloilo; Joseph Osorio of Anini-y, Antique; and Estela Bugna of Pavia, Iloilo. The nominees for the Gender and Development category actively promote gender equality in their community, from participation to decision-making.
For the category of Environmental protection, five participants were qualified as nominees. They were Ramonito Sabug from Alimodias, Miag-ao; Marilou Lampitoc from San Lorenzo, Guimaras; Merilyn Melicado fromMaasin, Iloilo; Rosalina Alcala from Alimodian, Iloilo; and Romeo Olave from Culasi, Antique. The nominees were selected as they actively promote environmental protection for the benefit of the entire community.
Meanwhile, for the category of Indigenous Peoples Welfare, seven exemplary mambers of the IP communities were nominated. Representing Alimodian, Iloilo is Airen Anacan; Nida Imperial for Tapaz, Capiz; Banjie Loquiso for Jordan, Guimaras; Shalla Mae Caro for Calinog, Iloilo; Leonisa Lumangyao and Elna Mallo for San Enrique, Iloilo; and Rola Salveo for Barotac Viejo, Iloilo. The nominees stood out on theirrespective municipalities as they take active steps to ensure that the rights of Indienous People are fulfilled, respected, and promoted in their community, so they will have a voice in community decision-making.
Ma. Lucia Isidro of Sebatse, Antiques and Ma. Lea Carillo of Calinog, Iloilo were named nominees for the Persons with Disability category as they ensure that there is a reasonable accommodation, which encourages resident PWDs to not only surpass their disability and people’s expectations but also to participate in compassionate, collective action in the community.
For the category of Sustained Community Volunteer Group, five community associations were nominated as they actively demonstrate and promote compassionate, collective action in and beyond DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS to sustain the gains made through the program. The nominees were Barangay Bo. Calinog Farmers Association, Gama Grande Community Association, and Cabagiao Farmers and Workers Association of Calinog, Iloilo; Samahang Buruanganon Hangad ay Tagumpay (SAMBUHAY) of Buruanga, Aklan; and M. Chavez Unified Farmers Association of San Lorenzo, Guimaras.
The process that the nominees went through required a lot of time and careful inspection. The nominees were each evaluated by examining their Bisyon or how the nominee is committed to the community’s shared vision and how he/she guides fellow residents in bridging the present to their desired future; Aksyon or how the nominee decisively and consistently acts to promote compassionate, collective action in the community and achieve their shared goal and how his/her actions exemplify selflessness and have positive impact in the community; Yakag or how the nominee has successfully persuaded the community to actively participate in compassionate, collective action in and beyond DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS; Abilidad or how the nominee maximizes opportunities to exercise the residents’ skills and service for the benefit of the community; Nakikiisa or how 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; and Integridad at Inspirasyon or how the nominee has unquestionable integrity that manifest in word and deed, which motivates people to continuously participate in collective action.
Only seven out of the thirty five nominees were named winners for the seven categories but Regional Director, Rebecca P. Geamala assures that everyone would go home as champions. “Know that all of you, our community volunteers are already winners the moment you devoted your time, your passion and dedication to improve the lives of the people and serve your community. I salute all of you. If not for you, Kalahi-CIDSS implementation would not be this successful.”
The hailed awardees of the 5th Bayani Ka! Awards this year are Ferdinand C. Selloriquez (Zarraga, Iloilo) for the Improved Local Governance category; Leonoro Roberto Jr. (Libertad, Antique) for the Elderly category; Gemma T. Chicano (San Jose, Antique) for the Gender and Development category; Ramonito S. Sabug (MIag-ao, Iloilo) for Environmental Protection category; Elna Mallo ( San Enrique, Iloilo) for Indigenous Peoples Welfare category; Ma. Lea M. Carillo (Calinog, Iloilo) for Persons with Disability category; and Ma. Alma Laredo (Bo. Calinog Farmers Association, Calinog, Iloilo) for the Sustained Community Volunteer Group category.
“We have this day to give recognition to our volunteers because we cannot give them anything tangible as exchange for their service. But this recognition, we hope, may serve as a motivation for them to serve their community with more compassion and give inspiration to more people,” says ASEC Peñaflor.
Finally, she reminded everyone of the true essence of volunteerism, “I hope that we all truly understand and treasure in our hearts that everything we do is not just a small thing. Every time that we do something, it contributes to the whole. If we look at the bigger picture, we are building the nation. And you, our volunteers, who work your hearts out, you are our true heroes.” #XzyrabelleServento/dswd/kalahi-cidss.