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PHILIPPINE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE COORDINATING AGENCY NEDA Complex, EDSA, Quezon City

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PERFORMANCE FOR THE YEAR 2006 I. Introduction

PNVSCA started as a committee on December 17, 1964, It became an agency on December 12, 1980 by virtue of Executive Order No. 635 and mandated to promote volunteerism and coordinate volunteer service programs in support of national development and international cooperation.

Accomplishments in 2006

A. Program Implementation and Coordination

1. Volunteers for Information and Development Assistance (VIDA)

The VIDA program encourages Filipinos to serve in the communities where they live. In 2006, there were 72 VIDA volunteers deployed mostly in rural barangays. They assisted projects in functional literacy, health and nutrition, coastal resource management, rural enterprise development, micro-finance, agriculture, environmental conservation, livelihood and peace building. In Mindanao, Ruel Hipulan, an SOV 2005 Awardee and head of the Save Mindanao Volunteers, Inc. sought the support of six (6) VIDA volunteers to implement health and literacy program to the remote areas of the Agusan Marsh in Surigao to uplift the conditions of the Manobo tribe. The VIDAs has effectively immersed themselves in the area despite the security challenges and has worked harmoniously with people of different cultural orientation.

2. Bayanihang Bayan

The Bayanihang Bayan Volunteers for Government Service Program which was launched in December 2001 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, engages the private sector particularly the youth, mid-career professionals, retires and overseas Filipinos to volunteer in government programs, projects and activities. The program is active in seven (7) government agencies namely DSWD, DENR, DepEd, DOH, CHED, PPA, City Government of Marikina. To engage more LGUs in the NCR, the BB Program launched an advocacy to encourage participation of the local government leaders in the NCR to the program.

3. International Volunteer Program

In 2006, there were 168 foreign volunteer development workers who helped various projects in agriculture, fisheries, education, micro-enterprise development, health and nutrition, governance, environment, information and communication technology and many others. The volunteers introduced new as well as enhanced existing technologies and trained local counterparts in different fields of expertise. Aside from technical skills sharing, the foreign volunteers promote cultural exchange, people-to-people relations and international goodwill. PNVSCA currently has 13 foreign volunteer organizations partners.

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4. Volunteer Exchange Program

In 2006, 107 Filipino volunteers under the VSO Bahaginan and the United Nations Volunteer Program were deployed in various developing countries. The volunteers were involved in program/project management, technology sharing and skills enhancement, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts and peace building initiatives for a period of six months to two years.

B. Policy and Plan Formulation

PNVSCA focused its efforts on continued review of issues and concerns relevant to the effective implementation of the volunteer program. Consultations were done with major stakeholders such as the foreign volunteer organizations, NEDA Regional Offices and ARMM-Regional Plan and Development Office and the Multi-Sectoral Advisory Body (MSAB). A major accomplishment is the approval by the House of Representatives of House Bill No. 4065 “An Act Institutionalizing A Strategy For Rural Development, Strengthening Volunteerism And For Other Purposes” and its transmittal to the Senate on April 25, 2006.

C. Information and Advocacy

PNVSCA used the following platforms to promote and advocate volunteerism: 1. Information dissemination through advocacy meetings, media partnerships and the

Agency website. 2. National Volunteer Month (NVM). NVM is an annual celebration every December

mandated by Proclamation No. 55. The highlights of the celebration include the conduct of the

• Exchange Arena Project Volunteer Matching Event on December 8 at the Filipinas

Heritage Library in Makati, • International Volunteer Day on December 5 at the at the College of Saint Benilde,

Makati were lined up with the following events: Exhibit on volunteer programs, projects and activities Volunteerism Conference – Five Years After IYV General Assembly of the Phil. Assoc. for Volunteer Effort

3. Search for Outstanding Volunteers. A major NVM activity is the Search for Outstanding

Volunteers that confers awards and special citations to deserving volunteers nationwide.

This year’s awardees are:

• Ms. Laiden Pedriña from Laguna who was recognized for her leadership in organizing the youth to develop artistic talents to preserve the environment;

• Dr. Primitivo Cammayo from Negros Occidental who was recognized for his role in institutionalizing in Negros Occidental the Community-Based Rehabilitation Program for People with Disabilities (PWDs);

• Bae Teresita Doydora from Bukidnon who was recognized for her leadership in federating the indigenous and regional groupings in Valencia City to unite their efforts toward peace and development;

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• Universidad de Sta. Isabel (USI) of Naga City for its various volunteer programs in education, health, environment, housing and relief and rehabilitation harnessing teachers, students and community beneficiaries in rendering volunteer work; and the

• Obo Manobo Active Language Resource and Development, Inc. (OMALRACDI) from Cotabato for its literacy programs aimed at promoting and preserving the Obo Manobo language.

The Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award (VLAA) was also conferred on Ms. Helena Z. Benitez for her public service and voluntary works in the fields of education, culture and the arts, environment and women and development.

The awarding rites was led by Senator Richard J. Gordon, 2006 NVM Honorary Chair Mrs. Virginia P. Davide and PNVSCA Executive Director Joselito C. De Vera.

D. Partnership Building

PNVSCA continued to establish and sustain linkages with different agencies and organizations from the government, non-government and community-based groups, the academe and the business community that promoted collaboration and resource sharing in volunteerism. In 2006, PNVSCA in partnership with PAVE, VOICE and the UNV conducted series of Round Table Discussions on Volunteerism covering the government, the corporate and academe sectors. The RTD is an assessment of the impact of the IYV 2001 after five years since its declaration such as changes in the culture that inhibit or promote volunteerism; measures done to facilitate volunteerism; best practices; and ways needed to promote volunteerism.

II. Plans for 2007

PNVSCA will vigorously pursue the following plans for 2007:

A. Intensifying awareness about volunteerism within and outside the government towards

creating consciousness at the national level. B. Networking and partnership with local and international volunteer organizations. C. Reinforcing and strengthening PNVSCA as the government focal agency on volunteerism.

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FUNCTIONAL LITERACY PROJECT BY A VIDA VOLUNTEER IN SAVE MINDANAO VOLUNTEER INC.

2006 VISAYAS-MINDANAO VOLUNTEER SHARING SESSION, BAYBAY, LEYTE

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2006 SEARCH FOR OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AWARDING CEREMONY DECEMBER 8, MANILA HOTEL

Senator Richard J. Gordon, 2006 NVM Honorary Chair Mrs. Virginia P. Davide, PNVSCA Executive Director Joselito C. De Vera and NVM Search Committee member Mrs. Amelita

Dayrit-Go with the 2006 SOV Awardees