Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)- The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD FO CAR) recognized its partners in the implementation of community driven development on 16 October 2024 through the Bayani Ka! Awards.
“[Through the Bayani Ka! Awards] we honor not just individuals but an entire movement of service and selflessness that breathes life into our communities. This award is a recognition of the heroes who, day in and day out, transcend the limitations of their roles and responsibilities to make an extraordinary impact on the lives of others. The journey we have walked together has not been easy. But through every challenge—be it a natural disaster, a global pandemic, or the everyday struggles of poverty and inequality—you have proven that heroism is not limited to acts of grandeur but found in the steady, selfless dedication to public service”, DSWD FO CAR Regional Director Maria A. Catbagan- Aplaten, PhD said in her message.
The Bayani Ka! Awards is given by the DSWD, through its Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services National Community Driven Development Program (Kalahi-CIDSS NCDDP), to its partners who have exemplary implemented and promoted the community-driven development (CDD) approach. It aims to recognize the efforts of Kalahi-CIDSS communities that have significantly contributed to promoting compassionate and collective action in their respective localities.
In the Cordillera Region, there are 25 finalists awarded under nine (9) award categories. Winners of this year’s Bayani Ka! Awards include Pio Paut from Rizal, Kalinga under the Indigenous Peoples Welfare category, Marag Farmers Irrigators Association of Luna, Apayao for the Operations and Maintenance category, Nabuangan Ancestral Domain Indigenous People from Conner, Apayao for the Environment Protection category, Fruitful Farmers Organization of Hingyon, Ifugao for the Gender and Development category. Meanwhile, the Barangay Development Council-Technical Working Group (BDC TWG) of San Pedro, Rizal, Kalinga gained 1st place under the Volunteerism category, Local Government Unit of Buguias for the Improved Local Governance category, The Baliwanan Motor Riders from Kabugao, Apayao received the Special Award for the Youth category, Besao Association with Disability and their Caregivers from Mt. Province bagged the first place under the Special Award for Persons with Disability, and Richard Acdang from Kibungan, Benguet received the Special Award for the Elders category.
Meanwhile, other awardees include Ronald Balao-as (Boliney, Abra) and Maligcong Farmers Fisherfolk Irrigators Association (Bontoc, Mt. Province) for the Indigenous Peoples Welfare category; Marag Farmers Irrigators Association (Luna, Apayao) under the Operations and Maintenance category; Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) of Palina (Kibungan, Benguet) and BLGU of Pingad (Sabangan, Mt. Province) for the Environment Protection category; Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) of Conner, Apayao and Sacya Women’s Organization (Bontoc. Mt. Province) under the Gender and Development category; Emilyn Ruth Imaysay (Conner, Apayao) and Artemio Tuguinay (Alfonso Lista, Ifugao) under the Volunteerism category; and Barangay Cabiten (Mankayan, Benguet) and BLGU of Data (Sabangan, Mt. Province) under the Improved Local Governance category. Under the Special Award for Youth, Youth for Peace Organization (Conner, Apayao) and Sangguniang Kabataan of New Tanglag (Tabuk, Kalinga); Conner Municipal Federation of PWDs in Apayao under the Special Award for PWD; and under the Special Award for Elders, Conner Municipal Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines and Tocucan Senior Citizen Association (Bontoc, Mt. Province) were also recognized.
DSWD FO CAR Regional Director Aplaten thanked the volunteers in their contributions in community development and challenged them to continue their selfless service beyond the implementation of Kalahi-CIDSS.
“Our dear partners, let us remember that the heart of being a bayani is the desire to serve without limits, without recognition, and without reservation. Your contributions may not always be visible to the public eye, but they are deeply felt by the people whose lives you touch every day. We call upon each of you to continue your journey of heroism. To go beyond what is expected. To advocate for the marginalized. To embrace your communities. To remain accountable. To nurture relationships. And to innovate solutions that will make lasting change. Continue being BAYANI for your communities, for your nation, and for a brighter future for all”, Director Aplaten added.
This year’s awarding ceremony is the 8th and last installment of the Bayani Ka! Awards under the Kalahi-CIDSS NCDDP. Kalahi-CIDSS NCDDP Additional Financing is set to close this 2024 while the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) and the Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KKB) modalities will continue its implementation. As of 17 October 2024, there are 42 local government units implementing the Program- nine (9) are in Abra, seven (7) in Apayao, five (5) each in Benguet and Kalinga, and eight (8) each in Ifugao and Mountain Province. #DSWD FIELD OFFICE CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, NERIZZA FAYE G. VILLANUEVA-TRINIDAD
