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In a bid to uplift the spirit of volunteerism and camaraderie among community volunteers, the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan—Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 7—Central Visayas recently conducted a three-day Community Volunteers Congress and Bayani Ka! Awards 2024 in Cebu.

Nepthali Francis Bustamante, a community volunteer from Manjuyod in Negros Oriental, receives a plaque of recognition handed by DSWD Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucer for being one of the exceptional PWD (person with disability) volunteers of KALAHI-CIDSS.

 

Around 290 participants who are implementing KALAHI-CIDSS from the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor joined the activity with the theme, PADAYON: Continuing the Spirit of Volunteerism and Honoring the Contribution and Impact of Every KALAHI Volunteer in the Community.

The congress highlighted the following activities: a review of Community-Driven Development and Sustainability, a presentation of KALAHI-CIDSS program accomplishments, a CDD Learning Exchange breakout session and presentation of its outputs, Community Volunteers Day: CDD Talent Competition; and indoor and outdoor Laro ng Lahi Games.

The activities focus on assessing the program’s gaps and challenges and building skills through indoor and outdoor activities. The breakout sessions aim to uplift the spirit of camaraderie as one program among community volunteers.

Also, the event objectives aim to make the participants assess the organization’s current environmental, social, and economic performance and how volunteers can more encourage to participate; discuss the importance of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms among funded sub-projects and the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) groups; and gather good practices among community volunteers experience for possible replication.

Meanwhile, the Bayani Ka! awarding ceremony seeks to recognize exemplary efforts and contributions of community volunteers who become champions of Community-Driven Development (CDD) sub-projects across the region.

It also aims to inspire other community volunteers to continuously promote CDD principles of community participation, transparency, and accountability.

During the awarding ceremony, DSWD 7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero expressed gratitude towards the community volunteers for their unwavering support to the program through the sub-projects implemented that benefit their respective communities even without salary.

Director Lucero also emphasized to the volunteers that they are the face of KALAHI-CIDSS of the Department through their actions and contributions to the community and nation-building.

As of October 31, 2024, a total of 3,727 sub-projects in Central Visayas have been completed since 2023.

“Bisan pa nga walay plaque, bisan pa nga walay certificate, para kanamo sa DSWD ug para sa tibuok Pilipinas, pinakangilngig nga volunteer ang mga KALAHI-CIDSS volunteers,” Director Lucero said, noting the risks they took within the 20 years of implementing the program.

The regional director urged the community volunteers to continue practicing the principles of CDD.

Below is the list of awardees for the Regional Bayani Ka! Awards 2024. ###

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