PNVSCA in 2007
PNVSCA in 2006
2005
Accomplishment Report
2003 in Review
2002
in Review
HIGHLIGHTS OF PNVSCA 2007 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In 2007, PNVSCA focused its activities in providing policy advice and direction,
information services and technical support to its stakeholders in the volunteer
community. The most significant achievement of which was the passage of Republic
Act No. 9418, otherwise known as the “Volunteer Act of 2007”, in which PNVSCA
closely collaborate with the House Committee on Rural Development in drafting
said RA and in the conduct of consultation with various stakeholders.
The Act institutionalizes volunteerism as an integral part of government
mechanism to propel local and national development through volunteering. It
provides the legal basis in giving incentives, protection and recognition of
volunteers that have become an issue or concern in the volunteer community. It
also strengthens the role of PNVSCA by mandating it to establish a National
Volunteer Infrastructure conducive to volunteering and to provide an enabling
environment for networking of volunteers and volunteer organizations.
The other is the adoption by foreign partner organizations of the Three-Year
Development Agenda Framework for the Foreign Volunteer Program introduced by
PNVSCA. The framework serves as guide in focusing strategic interventions in
convergence points in order to maximize the assistance and contributions of
foreign volunteers to national development. This includes priority sectors and
geographic areas for volunteer assistance. Of the 346 foreign volunteers in
service in 2007, about 90% were placed in priority sectors and provinces. They
assist projects in agriculture, fisheries, education, micro-enterprise
development, health and nutrition, governance, environment, information and
communications technology of government agencies, LGUs, NGOs and the academe.
Through the implementation and coordination of the Volunteers for Information
and Development Assistance Program (VIDA) and the Bayanihang Bayan (BB)
Volunteer Program for Government Service, local volunteering gained prominence
as the Program that provides volunteering experiences at the grassroots level
and can fast track the implementation of development projects in areas of
sustainable agriculture, solid waste management, reforestation, coastal resource
management, enterprise/livelihood development, microfinance, etc.
The 66 VIDA volunteers in service are mostly found in the Visayas and Mindanao.
They serve as frontline workers and community mobilizers that prepare the ground
for community participation and involvement in the development of their own
locality. The VIDA program also generates jobs and provides additional income
for women, farmers, fisherfolks and other marginalized sector.
The BB Program, on the other hand, is active in six government agencies namely,
DSWD, DENR, DepEd, DOH, CHED and Parole and Probation Administration (PPA) of
the DOJ. Around 76,520 volunteers have been mobilized in support of their
various programs and projects.
Filipino volunteers overseas posted a total of 471 Filipino professionals
serving in developing countries across Asia, Africa, Oceania and Eastern Europe
under the auspices of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and the VSO-Bahaginan
programs. Their expertise ranges from engineering, health, environment,
business management, and administration to support to UN missions in Africa.
These volunteers represent the country’s commitment to international communities
in the spirit of cooperation and international understanding indicative of the
spirit of reciprocity among countries through volunteerism.
Filipino and foreign volunteers in the country are catalysts in the development
efforts of communities and institutions. The volunteers assigned in sectors of
agriculture, trade and industry, environment, tourism and information technology
are expected to contribute to economic growth through the various
livelihood/enterprise development and microfinance activities they introduced.
They comprised about 50% of the 412 volunteers in service last year.
The regular activity that institutionalizes the sharing of experiences among
Filipino and foreign volunteers is the Volunteer Sharing Session (VSS) that
PNVSCA conducts at least once a year. Last year, there were two sessions held
separately: the VSS for the Visayas-Mindanao group of volunteers in New
Washington, Aklan on April 18-20, 2007 and that of the Luzon group in Vigan,
Ilocos Sur on May 21-23, 2007. Thirty-five to fifty volunteers participated in
the sharing sessions.
To advocate volunteerism purposively and encourage participation to the Search
for Outstanding Volunteers 2007, two regional symposiums were held in
cooperation with the NEDA regional offices. These were conducted in Tuguegarao,
Cagayan and Butuan, Agusan del Norte on April 12 and October 23, respectively.
December is the National Volunteer Month (NVM), as per Presidential Proclamation
No. 55, dated 5 December 1998. The culminating activity of the NVM celebration
in 2007 was the NVM Steering Committee awarding of seven (7) outstanding
volunteers, two (2) organizations working with volunteers, and conferring a
Special Citation to Fr. James B. Reuter for their exemplary contributions to
volunteering. The Awarding Ceremony of the Search for Outstanding Volunteers
2007 was held at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Mandaluyong City on December 12,
2007.
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PNVSCA
in 2006
A.
Program Implementation and Coordination
11.
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.
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 Philippine Association for Volunteer Effort (PAVE)
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;
-
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.
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.
19
January
2007
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ACCOMPLISHMENTS
AND PERFORMANCE FOR THE YEAR 2005
I. Introduction
The creation of PNVSCA reaffirmed the
Philippine
Government’s
commitment to the agreements in the International Middle-Level
Manpower Conference held in Puerto Rico in 1962 to promote
volunteerism as a tool for socio-economic development.
Starting 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.
PNVSCA is under the administrative supervision of the National
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
II. Accomplishments in 2005
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 2005, there were 47 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.
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. It is now in its fourth year of
implementation at
the following organizations:
· Department of Education (DepEd)
· Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
· Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD)
· Department of Health (DOH)
· Commission on Higher
Education (CHED)
This year, new partner agencies have
been identified as follows
· Department of Tourism
· Parole and Probation Administration
· City Government of Makati
· Quezon City Government
· City Government of Paranaque
· City Government of Caloocan
· City Government of San Juan
· League of Barangays
· League of Cities of the Philippines
· Volunteer Organizations, Information, Coordination
and
Exchange (VOICE)
3. International Volunteer Program
In 2005, there were 411 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.
The sponsoring foreign
volunteer organizations are:
·
Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development
· Australian Volunteers
International
· German Development Service
· Japan Overseas Cooperation
Volunteers
· Korea Overseas
Volunteers
· Organization for Industrial,
Spiritual and Cultural
Advancement
International
· Pax Christi Germany
· Singapore International
Foundation
· United States Peace Corps
· Voluntary Service Overseas
The volunteers also supported special projects undertaken by foreign
volunteer organizations in partnership with local
organizations. Among these projects are:
· Peace Enabling Actions
for Community Empowerment in
Mindanao.
(PEACE Mindanao) A project of VSO Philippines
which seeks
to strengthen local capacities in peace-building,
emotional
recovery, technical skills and governance in areas
affected by
conflict in Mindanao. There were ten (10)
volunteers
assigned in 2005.
·
Strategic Corporate-Community Partnership for Local
Development
(SCOPE). This is a flagship program of the
German
Development Service (DED) in promoting
public-private partnership in the Philippines. It supports the
initiatives
of Philippine-based companies to contribute to
sustainable
local development. Two (2) volunteers were
assigned in
2005.
· School –Based
Training Program (SBTP). A project of JICA
Philippines in partnership with the Department of Education,
the program aims to provide the teachers in the elementary
and secondary schools an opportunity to study subject
content and teaching skills and upgrade their skills in
facilitating “Learner-Centered” lessons in science and math.
Fourteen (14) volunteers were assigned in 2005.
· Dairy Development
Enhancement Project. A project of the
JICA/JOCV in partnership with the Dairy Training and Research
Institute (DTRI). It aims to improve milk production in
selected pilot areas in the country. Four (4) volunteers were
assigned in 2005.
· Team Volunteer Program
for Rural Development – A program of
the Korea Overseas Volunteer (KOV), it aims to complement
the existing KOV Program with focus on income-generation of
the rural villages to contribute to the poverty eradication
efforts of the government. Twenty-five (25) volunteers were
assigned in 2005.
· The United Nations
Information Technology Service (UNITeS)
is a program of the
UNV to enable information technology
volunteers
worldwide to narrow down the digital divide among
developing
countries. Under UNITES, six (6) international
volunteers were
posted at the Organic Planters and Traders
Association (OPTA),
Pinoy Rin Inc. and the UNV Office.
4. Volunteer
Exchange Program
The Volunteer Exchange Program allows the Philippines to be both
a receiver and sender of volunteer workers enabling it to also
contribute in the development efforts of other countries.
PNVSCA works in partnership with the United Nations Volunteers
(UNV) and the Voluntary Service Overseas-Bahaginan Program in
the recruitment and deployment of Filipinos for assignment in
other developing countries.
In 2005, 164 Filipino
volunteers under the UNV and VSO
Bahaginan programs served in 41 countries – Afghanistan,
Bangladesh, Botswana, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Congo, Cote
d’Ivoire, East Timor, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Haiti, Kazakhstan, Kosovo,
Laos, Liberia, Macedonia, Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, India,
Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal,
Nigeria, Niue, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Somalia,
South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago,
Uganda, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Central Pacific, Yemen, Zambia. 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.
On the other hand, one (1) international UNV was
deployed at
the UNDP Office in the Philippines under the
Project UNV for
Corporate Citizenship, Private Sector Partnership
and
Globalization.
A component of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) is the
National United Nations Volunteers (NUNV) which
deploys Filipino
volunteers to UN-supported initiatives in the
Philippines,
particularly in the area of peace keeping,
information technology
and environmental conservation. During the
year, three (3)
NUNVs were assigned to provide assistance in the
field of internet
technology at the CISCO System Philippines and
the National
Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB).
B. Policy and Plan Formulation
In order to improve coordination with program partners and to set
an environment conducive to effective and efficient volunteer
program implementation, the Agency continued to coordinate
meetings of the Multi-Sectoral Advisory Body (MSAB).
The MSAB is created to assist PNVSCA
in policy formulation and is
composed of representatives from government and
non-government organizations. The government agencies are the
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA),
Department
of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Foreign Affairs
(DFA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG),
Department of Education (DepEd), Bureau of Immigration (BI),
Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Presidential Management
Staff
(PMS). Two (2) NGOs were represented this year - the
Philippine
Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and the Philippine Rural
Reconstruction Movement (PRRM).
MSAB reviewed and made recommendations on the following policy
issues and program concerns:
· Policy on the
implementation of programs involving
deployment of
Filipinos volunteers in various countries.
· Policy on short-term deployment of volunteers in
periodic
engagement involving technical and specialized
skills
requirements of the project.
· Recommendation for the exemption VSO-Bahaginan
volunteers from travel tax in cognizance of their
voluntary
services and their role as ambassadors of
goodwill and
cultural understanding.
· Implementation of the volunteer program of Singapore
International Foundation and Pax Christi Germany.
C. Information and Advocacy
The Agency utilizes various strategies to promote and advocate
volunteerism and the volunteer program with the public. Among
the platforms of promotion and advocacy used are the following:
1.
National Volunteer Month (NVM). NVM is an annual celebration
every December mandated by
Proclamation No. 55. PNVSCA is
designated as the focal agency for
the NVM. It is assisted by a
National Steering Committee chaired
by NEDA and by regional
committees headed by NEDA Regional
Offices.
2. Search for Outstanding Volunteers. A major NVM
activity is the
Search for Outstanding
Volunteers that confers awards and
special citations to
deserving volunteers nationwide.
Honored during the awarding ceremonies at the
Manila Hotel last
15 December 2005 were the following:
·
Dr. Ryan Guinaran of the Cordillera Region is a volunteer in the
field of youth development and the cultural
revival and
preservation of the Ibaloi culture.
· Jacobina P. Dimamay of
Region VI is a peasant volunteer leader
dedicated to addressing issues on the
rights and welfare of the
sakadas and marginal farmers and
fisher folks through various
livelihood interventions and advocacy
for their rights.
· Judelio Yap of the
National Capital Region is a volunteer from the
Boys Scout of the Philippines devoted to promote youth
development and leadership training through the scouting
movement.
·
Bayanihang Bulakenyo of Region III provides support to the
Provincial Government of Bulacan in
nutrition, population and
delivery of social services through
community-based activities
that promote and advocate responsible
parenthood and
maternal and child health.
· Kadtuntaya Foundation Inc. of the Autonomous
Region of Muslim
Mindanao works for the uplift of the
socio-economic conditions
in the region and advocates for the
unity and peaceful coalition
among Muslims and Christian
communities.
Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award:
·
Teresita Ang See of the Kaisa Sa Kaunlaran, works for the cultural
integration of the Chinese-Filipinos in the Philippine society and
advocate for their support in nation building. Integral to her
campaign is the strong advocacy for judicial reforms and
prevention of crime and corruption in the government
· Amelia Juico Gordon, former mayor of Olongapo City and
mother
of Senator Richard Gordon works for the uplift
and welfare of the
Aetas and the abandoned and orphaned children in
Olongapo City
through adoption and scholarships to reintegrate
them in society.
· Jesuit Volunteer Philippines Foundation, Inc. works for the
formation of students leaders through
faith-driven volunteer
service in development works in the field of
education,
development and organizational development.
3. Website and Publications
PNVSCA
publishes a quarterly newsletter called The Volunteer. During
the year, three (3) editions and a special 40th
anniversary issue was published.
The Agency also maintains a website at www.pnvsca.neda.gov.ph
where information about volunteerism,
volunteer
stakeholders.
4. Advocacy Collaboration with
the Media
The
Agency maintains contact with the media that provide print
and broadcast mileage on
volunteerism and the celebration of the
2005 National Volunteer
Month and the Search for Outstanding
Volunteers.
PNVSCA
also signed an agreement with the Philippine Broadcasting
Service (PBS) to air
radio segment on volunteerism over Radyo ng
Bayan. However,
this arrangement was shelved in the latter part
of the year due to
changes in PBS.
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. Among the major partnerships entered into this
year
were
the following:
1. MOA with Singapore International Foundation for the
deployment of Singapore
volunteers in the Philippines. SIF is a
non-profit, non-governmental organization that is
created to
foster global mindsets, build goodwill and friendship and
strengthen Singaporean identity through its international
volunteerism and networking programs.
2. MOA with Pax Christi Germany for the deployment of PCG
volunteers in the Philippines.
PCG is a non-government,
non-profit organizations which
implements volunteer program
that aims to tap and organize peace
groups, and to develop
and disseminate peace education.
3. Training of Volunteer Coordinators and Area Managers for
Commission and the
Philippine Association for Volunteer Efforts
(PAVE).
4. Exchange Arena Project of the Pinoy Rin, Inc. which aims to
establish a marketplace for volunteer information exchange and
matching of corporate volunteering skills with the demands
from various NGOs and POs
III. Plans for 2006
PNVSCA
as the government focal agency on volunteerism will
vigorously
pursue the following plans for 2006:
A.
Intensifying awareness about volunteerism within and outside
the government towards creating consciousness at the
national level.
The
Philippine Government has laid the cornerstone for creating a
platform for advocacy and recognition of volunteers through the
National Volunteer Month (NVM). PNVSCA will reinforce and enhance
the mechanisms particularly through the nationwide annual Search for
Outstanding Volunteers. Popularizing best practices in volunteering
will also be a major undertaking. The support of the media will be strongly enlisted.
B. Networking and partnership with local and
international
volunteer organizations.
Building
partnership with various sectors to achieve convergence of volunteer
efforts will widen spheres of cooperation, enable multi-level and
multi-disciplinary approaches to volunteering concerns and provides
opportunities for capacity building and resource sharing. One of the critical activities is the registration of
volunteer organizations and setting up a national databank on
volunteer groups and organizations. Another is the establishment of a consortium of volunteer
institutions which will enable dynamic participation among various
sectors to address specific needs of the volunteer community.
C.
PNVSCA as a resource center for volunteerism.
The
rich diversity of experiences of the voluntary sector necessitates a
facility for exchanging ideas and technologies, research and
dissemination of best practices and continued public education on
the contributions of volunteerism to society. PNVSCA aims to provide its stakeholders this facility in
2006.
D.
Reinforcing and strengthening PNVSCA.
In
line with government’s effort to rationalize the bureaucracy,
PNVSCA will review its role as the focal agency of government for the volunteer program
so
it can better translate its mandate to respond to the emerging
trends in volunteerism at the national and international levels. It
will particularly work to
encourage more people and groups to volunteer, promote respect in
volunteer work, harness information technology to support volunteer
efforts and recognize the value of volunteering to socio-economic
development.
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2003 IN REVIEW
A look back into the Agency's performance in
2003:
The
Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency continued
its efforts to promote volunteerism and coordinate the productive
utilization of volunteer assistance in development work and
humanitarian services. These are reflected in the following
accomplishments in 2003:
Program
coordination
·
Deployment
of 123 Filipino volunteers to local project; 14 of these are under the
National United Nations Volunteers (NUNV) program and 109 are with the
Volunteers for Information and Development Assistance (VIDA) program.
The volunteers help in projects like micro-finance, community-based
tourism, livelihood, functional literacy, early childhood
development, coastal resource management and others. Eighty-seven of
the VIDA volunteers work as peace and development advocates (PDAs) in
the Multi-Donor Program Phase 3 in Mindanao. MDP3 is a package of
assistance for the rehabilitation of the former MNLF rebels in
Mindanao who have joined the Peace Agreement between the Government
and the MNLF. The placement of the VIDA PDAs is contributing
concretely to the re-orientation of the former rebels from war to
peace and into acquiring developmental skills to enable them to
improve their lives and participate in nation building.
·
Placement
of 180 foreign volunteers in development projects nationwide. These
volunteer development workers introduce innovative technology and
transfer technical skills to their Filipino counterpart workers and
project beneficiaries. They also foster cultural exchange at the
community level.
·
Signing
of the Memorandum of Agreement by USPC, the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD) and PNVSCA in the project Community
Services Education and Technical Assistance. The MOA allows the
deployment of Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) in DSWD managed-centers to
assist in the education and training of Filipino children, youth,
women and families.
·
Renewal
of partnership with the Department of Education and USPC in the
English Language Assistance Program (ELAP) expanding ELAP to cover
other areas of basic education and renaming the Program from ELAP to
Basic Education Development Assistance Program (BEDAP). BEDAP now
includes computer science and information technology, special
education, campus journalism, math and science education and other
related fields. The placement of the volunteers will help DepEd in
providing a broad and strong foundation in elementary and high school
education.
·
Deployment
of 89 Filipino professionals as volunteer development workers abroad,
mostly in post-conflict countries. Thirty-eight of these volunteers
are under the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program and 51 are
sponsored by the VSO-Bahaginan program. These volunteers enable the
Philippines to also contribute in peace and nation-building efforts of
other countries and to extend our country’s goodwill through
volunteerism.
·
Promotion
and implementation of the Bayanihang Bayan Program. Partnership in
promoting the Program was signed with the Philippine Association for
Volunteer Effort (PAVE) and the League of Cities of the Philippines.
In cooperation with Pinoy-Rin, Inc, posting of volunteering
opportunities in pilot agencies using its website, iVolunteer,
resulted in the registration of 805 volunteers and 35 organizations
benefiting from volunteer placement. PNVSCA also provided technical
assistance in trainings of Bayanihang Bayan desk officers of DSWD and
DENR to equip these pilot agencies in setting up and managing their
volunteer programs. The program is implemented in DSWD, DENR, DAR,
DepEd, DOH and CHED.
·
Organized
the National Volunteer Sharing Session that provided the volunteers
with a good venue for the sharing of information and experiences. This
annual activity of PNVSCA is strongly supported and awaited by the
volunteers as it also allows them to meet, build friendship and have
fun with other volunteers who are from different organizations.
Promotion
and advocacy
·
Celebration
of the National Volunteer Month. In cooperation with the NVM Steering
Committee, the NEDA Regional Offices (NROs) and the Autonomous R9egion
for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), PNVSCA led the month-long celebration that
promotes volunteerism and the recognition of the volunteers and their
contributions to nation building. NVM serves as a conveyor of
encouragement and moral booster from the government, providing
opportunities to organized events and activities that popularize
volunteerism nationwide.
·
NVM
is highlighted by the nationwide Search for Outstanding Volunteers
which brings to the fore the country’s dedicated volunteers and best
volunteer practices worth replicating. The Search, which was conducted
on regional and national levels, was made more colorful and
participative with the launching program for the Search For
Outstanding Volunteers 2003 at the Pueblo Filipino in historic
Intramuros, Manila on July 2 and a well-attended awarding ceremony at
the Malacanang Palace on December 10, 2003.
·
Conduct
of the study "Strategic Review of the Volunteer System in the
Philippines" in
cooperation with UNV and DED. The study is a good source of factual
information on the present volunteer system in the country and
provides solid data for informed policy making and planning. The
results of the study was presented in the Forum on Volunteerism and
the Millennium Development Goals organized in celebration of the
Inter-national Volunteer Day (IVD) in the Philippines on December 5.
(story on p. 4).
·
Crafted
the House Bill on Volunteerism in cooperation with the House Committee
on Rural Development
·
Crafted
the House Bill on Volunteerism in cooperation with the House Committee
on Rural Development and co-organized a Multi-Sectoral Consultation on
this Bill at the Batasang Pambansa. The Bill aims to strengthen
volunteerism in the country and define the roles of the government,
the private sector and the civil society in volunteerism in support of
national development.
·
Co-organized
with PAVE the 9th International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE)
Asia-Pacific Regional Volunteerism Conference in November. Hosting
this conference reinforced the country’s esteemed image in the
international volunteer community with the foreign delegates bringing
home with them their good experiences in the Philippines. It also
scaled up government attention and support to volunteerism with
President Arroyo welcoming the delegates in Malacañang and
recognizing the role of the volunteers in national development.
·
On-site
documentation of volunteer-assisted projects. These stories provide
factual information and inspiration on how the volunteers contribute
in the attainment of the development goals of people and communities
across the country. Increased
media publicity through various radio and TV networks such as PTV 4
in it’s Ugnayang Pambansa program, ABS-CBN’s Get Real With Ces
Drilon and Magandang Umanga Bayan. There were also interviews with
Radyo Ng Bayan and DZAS. NVM 2003 Honorary Chair DOT Secretary
Richard J. Gordon, PNVSCA Executive Director Joselito C. De Vera and
past and present awardees shared information and experiences on
volunteerism with the general public through these guestings.
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2002
IN REVIEW
A look back into the Agency's performance in
2002:
- The Agency facilitated the deployment of
some 608 local and foreign volunteer development workers to projects of
government agencies, LGUs, NGOs, community-based organizations,
foundations and academic institutions.
- It provided coordination services to the
programs of eight foreign volunteer organizations operating in the
country, namely: the Australian Volunteers International (AVI), Australian
Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD), German Development Service (DED),
Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV), Korea Overseas Volunteers (KOV),
Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA),
United States Peace Corps (USPC) and the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO).
PNVSCA assisted in the identification of projects for volunteer placement
and matching of volunteer skills with the manpower and technical needs of
the projects, conduct of orientation and pre-service training and
facilitation in the deployment and monitoring of volunteer assistance. The
assistance rendered by the volunteers contributes to people and community
empowerment, skills sharing and technology transfer, thus increasing the
access of the assisted communities to development opportunities.
- PNVSCA facilitated the deployment of 73
Filipino professionals for volunteer assignments abroad through the United
Nations Volunteers and the VSO-Bahaginan programs. Through them, the
country shares the role of helping other countries, thus deepening and
strengthening international friendship and cooperation.
- To foster exchange of skills, information
and technology among the volunteers, PNVSCA conducted volunteer sharing
sessions, one for the Luzon-based volunteers and another for those
assigned in the Visayas and Mindanao. These sharing sessions also provided
a venue for networking, discussion of common volunteering issues and
concerns and bonding of ties among volunteers.
- In January 2002, PNVSCA signed an
Agreement with the officials of the UN-GOP Multi-Donor Programme for
Mindanao Phase 3 (MDP3) for the deployment of 37 VIDA volunteers as Peace
and Development Advocates (PDAs). Later in the year, the Agreement was
renewed to increase the number of VIDA PDAs in MDP3 since they were seen
as providing significant promotion and facilitation assistance to the
Programme.
- PNVSCA encouraged and supported the
launching of a VSO project called the Technical and Organizational Skills
for Civil Society Action for the Displaced and At Risk in Mindanao (TOSCADAR-Mindanao)
which is aimed at strengthening the livelihood and resilience of displaced
communities and those at risk from armed conflicts in Mindanao.
- The Agency started negotiations with five
foreign organizations keen on collaborating with PNVSCA. These are: the
Food for the Hungry International-Philippines, the Delegacion Catholique
Pour La Cooperation, the Boat People SOS, LAVAS and the Vietnamese
Community in Australia, and the AESOP Business Volunteers.
- PNVSCA and Pinoy-rin, Inc. signed a
Memorandum of Agreement for a partnership on the promotion of the
volunteer program for government service called Bayanihang Bayan. (BB).
The partnership made possible the electronic promotion of Bayanihang Bayan
and facilitated the posting of opportunities for volunteering and for
those wanting to volunteer and those needing volunteer assistance.
- Relatedly, PNVSCA conducted training for
the Bayanihang Bayan desk officers designated by the pilot agencies-the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agrarian Reform
(DAR), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd) and the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The training focused on how to set
up and integrate the BB program in the operations of the pilot agencies
and how to recruit, manage, and monitor BB volunteers.
- PNVSCA earnestly pursued the promotion of
volunteerism through various means. Central to this was the conduct of the
Search for Best Volunteer Practices which heightened national awareness
and interest in volunteerism and gave recognition to the country's
volunteer force. The Agency also issued press releases and tapped the
media through radio and TV programs to disseminate information and promote
volunteerism.
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