3 persons, 4 organizations receive outstanding volunteer awards
The Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) recognized three individuals and four organizations as Outstanding Volunteers for 2009, receiving their awards Dec. 10 from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Malacañang Palace, Manila. The awarding is the culminating activity for the National Volunteer Month (NVM).
Marita G. Bumatay and Celestino F. Desamito received the awards for the individual category. Bumatay is a volunteer teacher at a Muslim community in Cavite while Desamito is a retired colonel of the Philippine Army who helps the local government of Koronadal City, North Cotabato in the development of land use and solid waste management plans and other local governance initiatives.
In the organizations category, awards were conferred to Tuklasan at Ugnayan ng Kultura, Lahi at Sining ng mga Katutubo (Tuklas Katutubo), Mag-uugmad Foundation and Philex Mining Corporation.
Tuklas Katutubo works on the preservation of indigenous culture while Mag-uugmad Foundation has innovative farming technologies that are used to assist marginalized farmers in cebu. On the other hand, Philex Mining Corporation has established its volunteering niche in search and rescue operations as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.
Meanwhile, a special citation was presented to Voluntary Service Overseas-Philippines (VSOP). VSOP is a foreign volunteer organization and partner of PNVSCA that deploys foreign volunteers in the Philippines since 1968. Its program in the country will be completed on March 2010.
In recognition of their contributions in the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts in the midst of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, special commendations were also given to the following: (1) Muelmar Magallanes, (2) Private First Class Venacio Ancheta, (3) Cpl. Adriano Regua, (4) Senior Fire Officers II Richard T. Balusdan, Sr., Siegfred B. Ngolovan and Brgy. Kagawad Rex Mang-oy, (4) ABS-CBN Foundation’s Sagip Kapamilya, (5) GMA Kapuso Foundation, (5) Oplan Sagip Bayan Volunteers, and (6) the Philippine National Red Cross.
Muelmar Magallanes is an 18-year old construction worker who saved more than 30 people but died in his last effort to rescue a baby.
Private First Class Venacio Ancheta was part of the Disaster Response Team of the 2nd Infantry Division of the Army, the group which saved more than 600 individuals during a rescue mission in Famy, Laguna. He was able to save a man after having been hit by a log and swept away by the flood current.
Cpl. Adriano Regua, on the other hand, was part of the team who first responded in a rescue operation in Mabitac, Laguna. He died in an attempt to rescue one of his men.
Senior Fire Officers II Richard T. Balusdan, Sr., Siegfred B. Ngolovan and Brgy. Kagawad Rex Mang-oy all died in the line of duty while trying to save victims of a landslide in La Trinidad, Benguet.
ABS-CBN Foundation’s Sagip Kapamilya, GMA Kapuso Foundation, Oplan Sagip Bayan Volunteers, and the Philippine National Red Cross were likewise recognized for mobilizing volunteers and resource donations as well as leading the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts at the height of the typhoons.
Dr. Ledivina V. Cariño will also receive the Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award (VLAA). Dr. Cariño was one of the pioneer organizers of the University of the Philippines (UP) Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, UP’s volunteer program.
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director-General Augusto B. Santos and 2009 NVM Honorary Chairperson Ricky Reyes joined President Arroyo in conferring the awards.
PNVSCA is an attached agency of the NEDA. (PID-NEDA)
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