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KOICA Push ICT and SPED Development in DepEd
The project involves the deployment of Korea Overseas Volunteers (KOVs) in elementary schools for a period of five (5) years from 2009-2014 to provide technical assistance in enhancing curriculum content, capacitate teachers and establish ICT infrastructure and application systems. The ICT Projects cover CAR, Regions IV-B, V and VI while the SPED Projects will be piloted in the DepEd Regional SPED Centers located in Regions V to VIII and the CAR. Signatories to the MOA are Hon. Vilma L. Labrador, DepEd Undersecretary for Programs and Projects, Mr. Kim In, KOICA Resident Representative and PNVSCA Director Joselito C. De Vera. KOICA has intensified its technical cooperation assistance to the country by adopting a more programmatic approach and team-volunteering strategy in its deployment scheme. It has generated greater local partner participation through its purposive advocacy meeting in strategic regions in the country based on the development priorities of the country since its inception in 1990.
Sada as he is popularly called came out from a rather surprising and very unlikely beginnings. A student of BA in Law, he emerged gradually as a computer person shaped by the circumstances and events during his university years way back 1997. It was the time when the internet captured the fancy of university students and he developed his love for the computer. He acquired his Diploma in Electronics Production Course in 2002 a two-year course where his honing for computer skills began. A rather perfect blend of logical thinking and analytic mind he acquired during his law studies and precise logic of the computer language could be the breeding ground of his famous adage “Read and Think”. He did not stop at developing his career for himself. Rather, he wanted others to have the chance to learn as well. JOCV gave him the opportunity when he applied for a volunteer post wanting to serve in an Asian country like the Philippines, Indonesia or Thailand because of his familiarity with the Asian culture. During his assignment with PNVSCA that begun in 2007, he embarked on training the staff on basic computer literacy training. He toured the staff on the use of the internet and how one can download copies from the web pages and on the use of MS Office, among others. He served as computer technician at times when the hard wares conked out fixing and restoring the units when attacked by virus. He improved the Agency website and improved on the LAN developed by his JOCV predecessor. He facilitated the upgrading of the hardware and speed up the internet. He created an internal website where he kept his lectures and materials for everyone to review and refresh themselves about the lessons dished out in the past sessions. Sada has demonstrated a very independent work attitude. He doesn’t need to be supervised in almost all the tasks he is up to. He said that PNVSCA has very high confidence on him. He just work quietly in a corner provided to him blending with the staff with ease though he is a bit reserve and serious most of the time. His work philosophy is very manifest in his manner. He came to the office much earlier than most of the staff. He works quietly the whole time standing up only to eat and attend to the call of nature. He is quiet most of the time but could talk well during his lectures and presentations. He said that it was a novel thing for him to speak before a big group and he is grateful for the chance and exposure to hone his skills in the area of public speaking. It was during this series of lectures that he repeatedly impress upon the staff members the value of reading and thinking rather than being too dependent on others. His exposures to various PNVSCA activities specially the Volunteer Sharing Sessions he participated, the Planning Workshop, the travel opportunities provided him with a feel and understanding of the culture of the Filipinos. The experience allowed to peek in the Filipino way of life and the values they cherished. He felt that Filipinos are not very much different with Japanese in some cases. He found the Filipinos very friendly and easy to get along with. He fell in love with the beauty of the country that when offered by his Japanese colleague in UNV a post in IT, he accepted the offer to be a UNV. His stint will commence in a few months after his trip back to Japan following his completion of service last March 2009. Perhaps what Sada indelibly left behind in the minds of those whom he met is not how fast your internet is now than before nor how good you are in power point presentations or how well you can now surf the net. He left behind a value, a piece of his conviction, a slice of his Japanese philosophy – Read and Think! It is a challenge to improve ourselves.
Joint JICA-PNVSCA Advocacy Meeting held in Daet
The activity aimed to create public awareness on the various volunteer programs and activities implemented and coordinated by PNVSCA and the JICA/JOCV. Likewise, this was envisioned as a convergence of various stakeholders in the region to promote volunteerism in local and national development and an avenue for the sharing of information on programs and activities on volunteerism. Ms. Irene Volante representing PNVSCA Director Joselito C de Vera welcomed the participants. Mr. Masafumi Nagaishi, JICA Representative gave the closing remarks acknowledging the participation of various organizations and thanking the Diocese for co-hosting the activity. Mr. Masaki Kinemuchi of JICA presented the JOCV Program including the recruitment cycle of the JOCV and the process of requesting for volunteers. PNVSCA presented the National Volunteer Service Program including the RA 9418 and the Search for Outstanding Volunteers (SOV). A one-on-one presentation with LGU Daet on the Bayanihang Program was also conducted by Ms. Volante after the meeting. The Advocacy Meeting was able to generate more requests beyond the expectations of JICA. Some of the skills areas proposed by the participants include removal of Mercury tailing in gold mines in the region, prevention and control of sea weed pests and weather forecasting for effective crop management. A project visit was conducted by JICA to some potential local partner organizations after the session. Mr. Nagaishi is eyeing to conduct another advocacy meeting in the region due to the generous response shown by the various organizations on the volunteer program.
KOICA, NRO, and the PNVSCA Agreement Inked
The project aims to learn, understand, and assess volunteer placement opportunities in the provincial and municipal levels; develop and improve Volunteer Database and Information System (VDIS) of the concerned NROs which will include database on volunteer assistance and identify potential KOV and other foreign volunteer placements in rural development projects such as agriculture, information communication technology, education, public health in target provinces and municipalities. Signatories to the MOA are Mr. Kim In, KOICA Resident Representative, Director Buenaventura C. Go-Soco of NEDA Regional Office VIII, Director Carmencita Cochingco of NRO XIII and Director Joselito C. De Vera of the PNVSCA. KOICA started deploying volunteers in the Philippines in 1990 and focuses its development cooperation activities in supporting the human resources development and providing material and physical support necessary to reduce poverty and achive sustainable development of partner countries.
Mr. Yoo and Ms. Bomin Kim, KOICA Deputy Resident Representative, together with Administrative Officer of KOICA Philippines Mr. Young-il Jang and KOV Program Officer Mr. Francis Afable met with Executive Director Joselito C. de Vera and some of PNVSCA staff last 21 April. Mr. Yoo pointed out that the visit aimed to monitor KOICA ODA projects in the Philippines and to monitor KOV volunteers, see how the volunteers are working and get idea on how to develop more projects in the future. He expressed appreciation about the close cooperation between South Korea and the Philippines and hope that this cooperation will continue in the future. The group visited the PNVSCA Volunteer Knowledge and Resource Center (VKRC) which was initially set-up through the financial grant given by KOICA. The meeting was also attended by KOV volunteers Hye Min Kang (KC) and Young Ju Kim (Aira) who are presently assisting PNVSCA’s database and website development.
BAYANIHANG BAYAN PROGRAM PLANNING AND SHARING SESSION The Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), in cooperation with the Bayanihang BB Desk Officers from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Departmenr of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Parole and Probation Administration (PPA), participated in the workshop. Other participants came from Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), City Governments of Marikina, Quezon City and Manila, and NGO representatives from the Philippine Association For Volunteer Effort (PAVE), Hands On Manila (HOM), and CSC Retirees Association (CSCRA). The sessions focused on topics on Volunteerism as a Strategy for Development and Challenges and Opportunities in Bayanihang Bayan Program. The second day culminated in the formulation of an Action Plan. The session outputs highlighted the need to strengthen the BB Program through advocacy, common guidelines and training of BB Desk Officers. The participants also saw the BB Program as a strategy to address global crisis by engaging volunteers in income generating programs and projects and generation of livelihood opportunities and provisions of psycho-social interventions to enable the people to cope with challenges. Bayanihang Bayan is a volunteer program for government service which was created by Memorandum Order No. 45 in December 7, 2001 to give private individuals and organizations to render volunteer service to the programs and projects of the government. Youth Empowerment Series rated a success Last week the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme reached out to young Filipino leaders in Vigan City.
"This activity highlights the dynamic partnership among the UN agencies, government, academe, and non-government organizations toward stronger multi-sectoral collaboration in development efforts," says Joselito de Vera, Executive Director of PNVSCA. Over 40 leaders from five universities participated in the two-day programme covering a range of topics including:
For many of the students, it provided a wealth of new information. “This training makes me realize the reality of our society,” says Emed Ferrer, the president of the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College student council. “This is truly the most unforgettable training I’ve attended in my entire college life.”
“Motivating others to act, utilizing existing resources, and making change towards betterment can be achieved by quality leadership and volunteerism,” says Precious Angelique (17) from St. Paul University Philippines. “The vision of the youth, accompanied by their passion to serve, for the mission of leaving a legacy of better life, hope, and love will burn in our hearts forever.” The Philippine Normal University in Cadiz City will host the next YES 4 MDGs on February 27-28, 2009. KOICA President Paid Visit to KOV-Assisted Dairy Project Three Korean Overseas Volunteers (KOVs) - Ms. Songi Gwon (or Olivia for those having difficulty with her Korean name), Ms. Ho Ah Lee (Serena), and Mr. Chan Ho Park (Peter) were eagerly awaiting the visit of no less than the KOICA President, Mr. Daewon Park to the Gen. Trias Dairy Raisers Multi-Purpose Cooperative. These KOVs have been assisting the cooperative in planning its activities, in coaching the members in milk quality testing, in the conduct of yoghurt sensory test and in the packaging of milk products. The next stop for the delegation was the farm at Barangay Navarro where most of the cooperative members reside. The Municipality of Gen. Trias and Barangay Navarro prepared a short program as the visit coincided with the celebration of the 1st Dairy Buffalo Festival. Approximately 100 crossbred buffalos were brought by the cooperative members to the site for the activity. In his message, the KOICA President said that he recognized the good cooperation between KOICA, the PCC, the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) and the Local Government Units. President Park affirmed KOICA’s support for the proposed expansion of the program to the other regions. The Municipal Mayor Luis Ferrer acknowledged the important role of and expressed his gratitude to the project in assisting the dairy farmers as well as the overall economic development of the local dairy industry. A simple awarding The KOICA President’s visit was organized by KOICA-Philippines in partnership with PCC, the UPLB, the Municipality of Gen. Trias and Barangay Navarro and the PNVSCA to provide opportunity for the KOICA President as well as the HNU officials to be exposed in community based KOV assisted projects. IRR OF RA 9418 SIGNED
NEDA Director Cleofe S. Pastrana delivered the message of Socio economic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director-General Ralph G. Recto who acknowledges the support of the various volunteer organizations in the passage of RA 9418. His message outlines the opportunities the law provides to strengthen the civil society participation in governance.
The 138th Batch of Japanese volunteers under the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) were handed over to their host organizations during yesterday’s Turn-Over Ceremony at the ‘Bulwagan Bayanihan”-Volunteer Knowledge and Resource Center (VKRC).
The volunteers are given Filipino language/local dialect training as appropriate and homestay exposure before they start their assignments. They will stay in the country for a minimum of two (2) years.
Welcome and enjoy the facility and services that VKRC offers! MOA Signing for the Project “Enhancing Dairy Buffalo Enterprise Development” The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) and the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) forged a Memorandum of Agreement on 22 July 2008 to deploy Korea Overseas Volunteers (KOVs) in local communities to assist in areas related to dairy business and management, animal husbandry, dairy processing and quality control. The project is in line with the development of dairy production system and improvement of milk quality and products among village-level cooperatives for sustainable buffalo-based enterprise development. The KOVs shall serve for one (1) year through a team volunteer approach. The team volunteer will comprise three (3) members, who will provide technical expertise to participating centers in Cagayan State University (CSU), UP Los Baños (UPLB), Don Mariano Memorial State University (DMMSU) and Central Luzon State University (CLSU). The agreement was signed by KOICA Resident Representative In Kim, PCC Executive Director Libertado C. Cruz, and PNVSCA Executive Director Joselito C. de Vera.
Joint Evaluation for the JOCV-DTRI-NDA-PNVSCA A Japanese Evaluation Team organized by the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers/JICA visited the Philippines on 13 July 2008 to evaluate the Dairy Development Enhancement Project together with the Philippine Evaluation Team. The joint evaluation study was subjected to five (5) criteria: Relevance, Efficiency, Effectiveness, Impact and Sustainability. The results of which favorably conform to the original goal of alleviating poverty in the rural areas - increase milk production through improvement of management technology for dairy cattle and strengthening the extension support system that increase dairy farmers’ income; consistent with Japan ODA policy of mitigating regional disparities through improving agricultural productivity; and supportive of LGU’s development plans to promote livestock and milk feeding programs as additional source of income for small farmers. The assistance of 27 Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs) under the Short Term Volunteer Program highly contributed in facilitating knowledge and skills sharing among project counterparts and farmers in the field of breeding, nutrition and milk hygiene, including with those Japanese student volunteers who were on field exposure in the Philippines. PNVSCA coordinated the deployment of the JOCVs and student volunteers. To sustain the project beyond 2008 when JOCV/JICA assistance is terminated, the National Dairy Authority (NDA) is likely to continue the project in other strategic dairy zones through training and research activities, in cooperation with the Dairy Training and Research Institute (DTRI). Both agencies will provide fund allocations to these continuing project activities in their respective budgets and maintain existing counterpart personnel to work in future projects aimed at promoting the local dairy industry. As recommended, DTRI, NDA and JOCV will formulate an action plan to ensure that gains derived from the project are sustained, conduct seminar to disseminate achievements and lessons from the project during the remaining project period and for DTRI and NDA to prepare a detailed feasibility study to confirm viability of the action plan and document salient project experiences. Volunteer Act of 2007 President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed on April 10, 2007 Republic Act 9418 also known as the “Volunteer Act of 2007” institutionalizing volunteerism as a strategy for national development and international cooperation. RA 9418 was spearheaded by the House Committee on Rural Development chaired by Congressman Arrel Olaño and the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Development chaired by Senator Sergio Osmeña III. It is a collaborative effort of PNVSCA, partner volunteer organizations and advocates of volunteerism toward providing a conducive and enabling environment for volunteering in the Philippines. RA 9418 was published in the Official Gazette on June 11, 2007. Full text of RA 9418… |
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The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) forged a tripartite agreement last June 10, 2009 on the project “Enhancing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Special Education (SPED)” in selected elementary schools and centers of DepEd. 
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This is probably the most enduring legacy a volunteer could leave to his co-workers – a work ethics that is vital to organizational productivity.
For JOCV Sadahito Goto who came to PNVSCA as an IT volunteer – his familiar advice to most staff asking for assistance when their computer bonked out : Read and Think. And not without reason; he wanted the staff to develop a critical thinking and decipher for themselves course of decision and action to take. He avoids spoon feeding and over dependence on him.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency-Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JICA-JOCV) and the PNVSCA conducted a joint Advocacy Meeting last 20 May 2009. The event was hosted by the Diocese of Daet, Socio Pastoral Action Center Foundation, Inc. in Camambugan, Daet, Camarines Norte. It was attended by 60 participants from various organizations in the region. 
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) and NEDA Regional Offices VIII and XIII forged a Tripartite Agreement last May 4, 2009 on the Setting – Up of Volunteer Database and Information System (VDIS) and Volunteer Placements for Small – Scale Rural Development Project in selected NEDA Regional Offices (NROs).
Auditors from the KOICA Headquarters were in the Philippines last April 18-22, 2009 to audit and oversee the existing KOICA projects in the country. They are Mr. Young Bang Yoo, Auditor and Ms. Yeung Mi Choi, Assistant Auditor. The visit is an annual activity being conducted by KOICA.
Bayan (BB) Program partner agencies organized the 2009 BB Planning and Sharing Session held on 19-20 February at Ciudad Cristia Resort, San Mateo, Rizal. The activity aimed to strengthen the camaraderie and partnerships among program partners and to exchange information on the best practices in their respective agencies. A common plan of action to strengthen the BB Program implementation and coordination was drawn by the participants.
The second Youth Empowerment Series for the Millennium Development Goals (YES4MDGs) was conducted on 12-13 February in collaboration with the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), the United Nations Associations of the Philippines, and the University of Northern Philippines. 
The Youth Empowerment Series are designed to strengthening leadership skills and networks, promote awareness of effective HIV/AIDS prevention and provide essential information on volunteering and active involvement in development.
fed the visiting delegation on the objectives and coverage of the KOICA-assisted project on “Improving Village Level Milk Production, Collection and Processing.” The project is also being supported by the Municipal Government of Gen. Trias, DTI and PCARRD/DOST. Dr. Del Barrio also informed the group that currently, the member-farmers being the main providers of carabao milk are still using hand milking and double boiler pasteurizer and through the assistance of the project cooperators, they hope to acquire milking machines, batch pasteurizer and soft ice cream maker to improve the milking system and for possible project expansion. The cooperative’s office also serves as the processing center and distributor of carabao dairy products in the area such as choco-milk, white cheese, pastilles, yoghurt, among others. One of the KOVs, Olivia even demonstrated to the group how to make yoghurt.
ceremony capped the visit. The LGU, PCC and KOICA awarded four (4) Dairy Buffalo to deserving farmers, in addition to the conferment of recognition for Best Purebred Buffalo, Best Crossbred Buffalo and the Best Philippine Carabao. In gratitude, Mayor Ferrer presented certificates of appreciation to KOICA and the Hangkyong National University (HNU) for their support in the development of the dairy industry in General Trias. 
The signing of the 
The PNVSCA and its partner volunteer organizations and stakeholders celebrated the opening of the ‘Bulwagan Bayanihan”-Volunteer Knowledge and Resource Center (VKRC) last Friday, 25 July, together with the NEDA Family and other guests.. 
