ILOILO CITY (PIA) -- Community volunteers have been the backbone in the implementation of the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI CIDSS) program since it was launched two decades ago in Western Visayas.

They are also the new generation of champions who help realize the Community-Driven Development approach, a strategy anchored on the principles of participation, transparency and accountability, in fighting poverty in the villages.

The role they play has an impact that goes beyond the number of projects completed under the program in more than 60 municipalities in the region, according to Maricar Calubiran, Social Marketing Officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 6 KALAHI-CIDSS during the panel interview of the nominees for the Regional Bayani Ka! Awards held October 17 and 18 here in Iloilo City.

the panel of judges during the interview which provided a venue for the exemplary volunteers to share their experiences, learnings and even new skills acquired in implementing the community-driven development program as well as the improvement in the quality of life brought by the sub projects that the community identified.

The nominees in the Disaster Risk Reduction Management or Environment Protection (Individual or Group) category are Brgy. Sinubsuban, Maasin, Iloilo and Ian Mark Atadero from Sara, Iloilo.

In the Improved Local Governance (Group) category, the nominees are Brgy. Poblacion, Alimodian, Iloilo; Rodgie Fuasan from Sara, Iloilo; and BLGU Brgy. Council of Brgy. Pantalan, Anilao, Iloilo.

The three nominees for the Operation and Maintenance Group category are Guinpanaan Magallon Cadre Multi-Purpose Corp of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental; HIKAVODA (Hinobaan Kalahi Volunteers Development Association) of Hinobaan, Negros Occidental; and Nasapahan Rice and Corn Farmers Association of Lemery, Iloilo.

For Indigenous People’s Welfare (Individual) category, the nominees are Marivic Viray of Madalag, Aklan; Zaldy Excil Barnizo, Jr. of Tapaz, Capiz; and Windel Anne Capio of Tubungan, Iloilo.

There were 6 nominees for the Volunteerism (Individual) category and they are Benje Batan from Sara, Iloilo; Noli Lasanas from Lambunao, Iloilo; Melinda Baldelovar from San Rafael, Iloilo; Beny Zamora from Bugasong, Antique; Marites Napoles from Buruanga, Aklan; and Ma. Luz Donato from Madalag, Aklan.

In the Exceptional Senior Citizen Volunteer category, the nominees include Edna Jebulan from Madalag, Aklan; Victorina Caballero from Calinog, Iloilo; Liberty Batan from Sara, Iloilo; and Araceli Alido from Alimodian, Iloilo

Sammy Gervacio from Libacao, Aklan was the only nominee for the Exceptional Person with Disability Volunteer category.  

For three years, Calubiran said Bayani Ka! was temporarily shelved due to pandemic.

This year, the conduct of the Regional Bayani Ka! coincided with Poverty Alleviation Month this October.

A P5,000 incentive awaits winners in each category who will represent the region in the national level search. In 2019, all entries from the region were named national winners.

Calubiran said the awarding and recognition for the regional winners is set on Nov. 15.  (AAL/LAF/PIA6-Iloilo)