LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) – – In line with its goal to promote volunteerism as a way of life of every Filipino and in every community, the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) is continuously expanding its partners for volunteerism advocacy.
The PNVSCA headed by Executive Director Donald James Gawe signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the City Government of Baguio, the local government unit(LGU) of La Trinidad in Benguet, Mariano Marcos State University and Tarlac State University during the culminating program of the 2022 National Volunteers Month at the Benguet State University here last December 28.
The MOU formalizes the collaboration between the PNVSCA and its new partners in the promotion and advocacy of volunteerism in nation building and development, which includes mainstreaming volunteerism and the conduct of volunteering – related initiatives in Baguio City, La Trinidad and the two state universities.
Volunteerism partners. Engr. Phillip Puzon representing Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, NVSCA Executive Director James Gawe, TSU VP for Research and Extension Services Dr. Murphy Mohammed, La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda and a representative from the MMSU (left to right) in a photo opportunity. (CCD/PIA CAR)
As of December 28, 2022, the PNVSA has 19 partners that signed MOUs for such collaboration- seven national government agencies, four LGUs, seven higher academic institutions and one civil society organization.
Gawe outlined that volunteerism is inherent among Filipinos given that the spirit of “Bayanihan” has long been benefitting families, communities and society as a whole.
PNVSCA Executive Director Donald James Gawe talks about the evolution of volunteerism in the country. (CCD/PIA CAR)
“The Philippines is a country that takes pride in its rich history of volunteerism through the ‘Bayanihan’, the tradition of helping one another to promote family, community and society’s welfare,” he said.
He expounded that the Filipino brand of volunteerism has evolved through time to engage all sectors including the government, NGOs, academic institutions, international organizations and corporate groups in volunteer service for development.
“We volunteer for a wide range of causes including helping to eliminate poverty and improve basic health and education, providing safe water and sanitation, addressing environmental issues and climate change, reducing the risk and impact of natural disasters and combating social exclusion and violent conflict,” Gawe stressed.
In each of these fields, volunteerism generates wellbeing for individuals and communities, thereby making a unique contribution,” he said,
Another highlight of the NVM culminating program was the “VOLUNTALKS: Once a Volunteer, Always a Volunteer” featuring the year’s Search for Outstanding Volunteer (SOV) winners.
(From left to right): moderator PIA Cordillera Regional Director Helen Tibaldo, 2022 SOV awardees Councilor Artemio Andaya Jr. and Vivien Christi Trocio and PNVSCA Program Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation Division OIC Kenneth Siruelo during the “VOLUNTALKS” at Benguet State University. (CCD/PIA CAR)
The awardees included Councilor Artemio Andaya Jr. of Jose Panganiban Camarines Norte; Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation Inc. Knowledge Management Officer Vivien Christi Trocio; Agricultural and Fishery Youthpreneur Council Chairperson Marlon Balunsat; Mr. Delivery PH Chief Executive Officer Marlon Balunsat, and PH Adventist Medical Aviation Services Inc. President Capt. Dwayne Harris and Director Granny Mary Quieng.
The PNVSCA also awarded certificate of recognition to its valuable partners in volunteerism advocacy programs and activities. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
