CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) -- Two volunteer-entries were endorsed by the Central Luzon National Volunteer Month Regional Committee (NVMRC) to represent the region in the 2021 National Search for Outstanding Covid-19 Volunteers (SOCV).
 
The SOCV aims to highlight the significant contribution of individuals and groups who offered their services,skills and resources to address the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
“As with the annual Search for Outstanding Volunteers (SOV), the objective of the SOCV is the same which is to identify and recognize outstanding Filipino volunteers and their exemplary performance and achievements in empowering communities and promoting volunteerism as a way of life, contributory to nation-building,” National Economic and Development Authority Regional Director and RSC Chairperson Gina Gacusan said.
 
Nominees in Central Luzon include one each for the organization and individual categories.
 
Under the organization category, finalist includes the Pinagkaisang Lakas ng Kababaihan (PILAK) based in Pandi, Bulacan.
 
“Since it was established in April 2011, PILAK has provided significant support to its beneficiaries through different volunteering activities as a way of helping people in need and giving back to the communities. At the height of the pandemic, its volunteers have been very active in assisting the local government provide relief to the people, as well as in organizing programs such as disaster preparedness, community service, gift giving, medical missions, and livelihood and skills training,” Gacusan said. 
 
Its president, Rosalina Jacques, said the group is continuously expanding and has mobilized more than 13,000 volunteers to date, benefitting more than 150,000 residents from 22 barangays and 11 resettlement areas in Pandi town. 
 
Meanwhile, Imelda Lopez, a Barangay Nutrition Scholar from Paombong, Bulacan, is a nominee under the individual category. Lopez helps the local government deliver health and nutrition-related services to her community. 
 
Aside from that, she also donated home prepaid wifi to selected schools in the town out of her own pocket, and is also active in various clean up drives. 
 
Her volunteering works benefitted a total of 2,060 families from five barangays in the town. 
 
The national awardees will be announced this December.
 
The NVMRC is chaired by NEDA with the Civil Service Commission, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Information Agency, Commission on Higher Education, and partner civil society organizations as members. (CLJD/MJSC-PIA 3)