LEGAZPI CITY — Community organization partners of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Bicol were recognized during the 4th National Bayani Ka! Awards earlier this week at the Golden Peak Hotel in Cebu City.
DSWD Regional Director Arnel Garcia, in an interview on Friday, said the Bayani Ka! Awards is the highest recognition for volunteers who take initiative in improving their communities.
All regional winners across the country were recognized as Community-Driven Development (CDD) champions.
“We are happy and thankful for the community volunteer organizations from Bicol that were recognized out of 108 awardees across the Philippines,” Garcia said.
The awardees from Bicol Region are: for the Gender and Development category — Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee of Barangay Mainit, Bato, Camarines Sur; Environment Protection category — Kabataan para sa Karunungan at Kalikasan of Donsol, Sorsogon; Improved Local Governance category — Barangay Local Government of Maalo in Juban, Sorsogon; Indigenous Peoples’ Welfare category — Agta-Tabangnon of Barangay San Rafael, Bulusan, Sorsogon; Promotion of Just Peace category Awardee — Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee of Barangay Mainit, Bato, Camarines Sur;
For the Person with Disability category — Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee of Barangay Matacla, Goa, Camarines Sur; Elderly category — Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee of Barangay Poblacion, Mobo, Masbate; Youth category — Kabataan para sa Karunungan at Kalikasan of Donsol, Sorsogon and Sustained Community Volunteer Group Awardee — Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee of Sta. Lourdes village in Barcelona, Sorsogon.
In a statement, DSWD Undersecretary Malou Jarabe said the awards show that “all volunteer groups have greatly contributed to the success of strengthening empowerment in the communities, improving the delivery of services, pursuing national development and poverty reduction.”
“This Bayani Ka! Awards is not enough to thank the community volunteers since these volunteers have countless contributions not only to the DSWD but to the country,” she added. (Connie Calipay/PNA)
