CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Regional Search Committee (RSC)-X for the Search for Outstanding Volunteers (SOV) convened Thursday, Oct. 19, to evaluate the impact, innovation strategies, and sustainability of the volunteering activities of the 2023 SOV nominees.

Before the deliberation, the RSC-X members conducted onsite validation to delve more into the volunteering activities of the nominees and their impact on the beneficiaries and partners.

Three organizations and two individual nominees were shortlisted and further evaluated by the RSC-X on October 11, 17 and 19. 

The nominees for the organization category are the Paglingkawas Women Federation of Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte, the Rotary Club of Iligan Maria Cristina, and St. Michael's College of Iligan City. 

Individual nominees, on the other hand, are Mely Jacob, a PWD in Brgy. Lumbia in Cagayan de Oro City, and Ana Ninfa Caballero, a faculty of Bukidnon State University.

The SOV is an annual search that aims to spotlight outstanding Filipino volunteers and volunteer organizations for their exemplary performance and achievements to spark inspiration and encourage others to replicate their volunteering activities.

Spearheaded by the Philippine Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency, the Search also bolsters the advocacy for promoting volunteerism as a tool for national development. It is the centerpiece activity of the National Volunteer Month, observed every December.

The regional nominees will be recognized during the last quarter meeting of the Regional Development Council X. The regional awardees for each category will also represent the region in the National Outstanding Volunteer Award in December.

The RSC-X is composed of regional representatives from the National Economic Development Authority, Philippine Information Agency, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Education, Civil Service Commission, and the Department of Interior and Local Government. (APB/PIA-10)