Posted on by Raf Sofia Centeno

QUEZON CITY – In celebration of unity and community empowerment, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office MIMAROPA through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) honored its outstanding partners in the Regional Bayani Ka! Awards held on Friday, September 8, 2023 at the Madison 101 Hotel in Quezon City. 

The event highlighted the strategic practices, success stories and collaborative efforts of various stakeholders in the MIMAROPA region who have embraced the Community-Driven Development (CDD) process of KALAHI-CIDSS.

“Napakalaki ng potential [ng mga Regional Bayani Ka! Awardees] na sila ay maging mahusay na taga-pamuno sa kanilang komunidad. ‘Yung iba actually ay namumuno na sa kanilang pamayanan pero ang hangad natin ay maipagpatuloy ito. (The Regional Bayani Ka! Awardees have immense potential to become outstanding leaders in their communities. Some of them are already leading in their local areas, and what we aim for now is to further nurture and sustain their leadership)”, Regional Director Leonardo C. Reynoso encouraged the awardees to maintain their transformative leadership in the community during his welcome remarks.

Regional Director Leonardo C. Reynoso, CESO III, delivering his opening remarks.

The Regional Bayani Ka! Awards 2023 carried the theme “Mga Kwento ng Pagbabago” through unity in the community. It reflects the crucial partnership between Local Government Units (LGUs) and engaged community members, emphasizing their collective role in addressing challenges and driving growth through the CDD approach.

Below is the full list of the Regional Bayani Ka! Awards 2023 in MIMAROPA Region:

Group category

    • Improved Local Governance | Local Government of Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro
    • Disaster Risk Reduction Management or Environment Protection | Brgy. Comod-om (Alcantara, Romblon)
    • Operations and Maintenance Group | Ilog Farmers and Irrigators Association (Rizal, Palawan)

Individual category 

    • Volunteerism | Marlyn G. Sodoy and Rey Ecleo Soriano (Sta. Fe, Romblon)
    • Indigenous People’s Welfare | Jacqueline U. Andres (Baco, Oriental Mindoro) and Hon. Perpetuo G. Alo (Bansud, Oriental Mindoro)
    • Improved Local Governance | Hon. Rolly Reyes (Balabac, Palawan) and Hon. Sonny G. Vicente (San Andres, Romblon)

With these remarkable contributions, all awardees received a plaque, certificate of recognition, and development incentives. Groups were awarded P10,000 each, while individuals received P5,000.

Furthermore, the KALAHI-CIDSS National Program Manager Atty. Bernadette A. Mapue-Joaquin gave an appreciation message and led the oath of commitment in supporting the CDD principles and principles.

Atty. Mapue-Joaquin said that the night was a retrospective of our past experiences in the program and she emphasized the impact of CDD in the communnities. “Ang KALAHI-CIDSS ay magdadalawang dekada na. Siya ang pinakamatagal among the flagship programs of DSWD”, she added.

To close the event, the Assistant Regional Director for Operations Ms. Sheila S. Tapia acknowledges the unity among all stakeholders of implementing the process of CDD. She gave importance on the collective role of the community volunteers, field staff, Barangay and Municipal Local Government Units of , and media.

“Ito ang totoong kwento. Kwento ng pagmamalasakit hindi lamang sa sarili ninyong pamilya kundi para sa buong communidad. Ito ang tunay na malasakit, (This is the real story. A story of compassion not only for our own family but for the entire community. This is true essence of compassion.)” Ms. Tapia said.

Group photo of the awardees, previous awardees, media, field staff and regional staff during the Regional Bayani Ka! Awards Welcome Dinner on September 7, 2023.

Beyond the accolades and recognition, the Regional Bayani Ka! Awards 2023 also underscores the urgent need for the institutionalization of Community-Driven Development (CDD) principles and practices. It serves as a call to action for governments, both at the regional and national levels, to invest in and support the replication of CDD programs across the nation.

Watch the livestream video here: https://www.facebook.com/dswdfomimaropa/videos/308531171857956

More photos below:

Rubyn Ralph Fajarito (Project Evaluation Officer III) and Nherlyn Grace Baliguat (Community Empowerment Facilitator) led the doxology and the singing of the Philippine National Anthem respectively.
For the opening performance, Mark John Pinawen (Community Empowerment Facilitator) sang the original composition of Sherwin Marron-Yap (Area Coordinator) titled “Bagong Bayani” as his way of encouraging community volunteers to join the program. Meanwhile, Ma. Louiese Mirambil (Financial Analyst) performed an interpretative dance of the song.
The KALAHI-CIDSS Red Vest Movers had an intermission number of modern hip-hop dance performances.
The DSWD RPMO KALAHI-CIDSS recognized the presence of 10 media partners who attended and participated in the event. They reiterated the role of media in promoting the Community-Driven Development approach.
Oath of Commitment with Mayor Elegio Malaluan, as representative of the KALAHI-CIDSS partner, Jobert Gabo as the representative of the KALAHI-CIDSS field staff, and Dennis Nebrejo as the representative of the media partners.

The Regional Bayani Ka! Awards 2023 was hosted by Michael Ace Dimapilis, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit Head, and Pia Centeno, Social Marketing Unit Head of KALAHI-CIDSS.
The production team of the Regional Bayani Ka! Awards 2023. (From left to right: Michael Ace Dimapilis, Ma. Louiese Mirambil, Marianne Oliverio (Program Director), Atty. Bernadette Mapue-Joaquin, ARDO Sheila S. Tapia, Pia Centeno, Renato Mandrique, Jr (Voice over artist), Nherlyn Grace Baliguat; Seated: Ralph Rubyn Fajarito, Jerald Obando (Technical Director), Romnick Pitos, Sheiwe Ann Domingo, Atty. Aldrin Bandal and Mark John Pinawen.

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