DSWD MIMAROPA honors 2024 Bayani Ka! Awardees and exemplary LGUs in community development

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) MIMAROPA recognized the 2024 Regional Bayani Ka! Awardees and partner Local Government Units (LGUs) during the KALAHI-CIDSS Bayani Ka! Awards and Stakeholder Program Review and Evaluation Workshop.

The event, held from August 28-30, 2024, at the Selah Garden and Podz Hotel in Pasay City, celebrated the achievements of community volunteers and LGUs implementing the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach.

The Bayani Ka! Awards, DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS’ highest honor, acknowledges exemplary community leaders and groups who have demonstrated outstanding dedication and innovation in their service to local communities. As the KALAHI-CIDSS Additional Financing program nears completion, these awards also serve as a platform for knowledge-sharing and peer learning, aimed at enriching the practice of CDD throughout MIMAROPA.

During the event, awardees were recognized across eight categories, including individuals and groups who excelled in areas such as disaster risk reduction, gender and development, volunteerism, and more. These honorees exemplified the program’s core values of leadership and community service.

The Bayani Ka! CDD Talk segment featured inspiring stories from the awardees, who shared their experiences of overcoming challenges while contributing to their communities. These accounts, delivered in front of a panel of media practitioners, further highlighted their commitment to the principles of the CDD approach.

The 2024 Bayani Ka! Awardees include:

Mr. Chan B. Alsad from Balabac, Palawan, recognized for Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Environmental Protection.
Maricel Gallardo from Gasan, Marinduque, for her work in Gender and Development.
Wenefreda de Jesus from Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, for her exemplary Volunteerism.
Technotropheo Missions Inc. from Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, honored for their contributions to IP Welfare.
M. Adriatico Water System Association in Gloria, Oriental Mindoro, for their outstanding efforts as an O&M (Operations and Maintenance) Group.
Gemmalie Estores from Taytay, Palawan, for being an Exceptional PWD (Persons with Disabilities) Volunteer.
Purita Labay from Torrijos, Marinduque, for her role as an Exceptional Senior Citizen Volunteer.
The Municipality of Gloria, Oriental Mindoro, was awarded for Improved Local Governance.

Additional awards were also presented to LGUs for their contributions to subproject implementation and CDD governance, recognizing their efforts in advancing local development initiatives. The Seal of CDD Champion was awarded to key local officials for their leadership in implementing CDD principles in their respective communities, highlighting their commitment to sustainable local development.

In conjunction with the awards ceremony, a workshop brought together Local Chief Executives (LCEs) and Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators (MPDCs) to discuss the integration of CDD into local development planning and sustainability frameworks. Key outputs of the workshop included the LGUs’ commitment to completing Barangay Development Plans (BDPs) and strengthening Operations and Maintenance groups.

DSWD MIMAROPA Regional Director Leonardo C. Reynoso provided program updates, while Engr. Raymond Libarra shared information on the upcoming Panahon ng Pagkilos project, a locally-led climate action initiative designed to build on the successes of KALAHI-CIDSS.

Through the recognition of both individual volunteers and local governments, the 2024 Bayani Ka! Awards continue to promote and strengthen community development efforts, ensuring that the legacy of KALAHI-CIDSS lives on in the MIMAROPA region.