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.
“Our KALAHI CIDSS volunteers offer their tireless services and support without compensation to
implement the program worthwhile and effectively. That is why, the DSWD Regional Project
Management Office also came up with an initiative, this award, to give due recognition to their
sacrifices and as active partners of the agency,” said Calubiran.
She further explained that Bayani Ka! intends to acknowledge the hardwork of the local heroes who
put their own communities (“bayan”) before their own selves (“I”).
A total of 21 nominees, both individual and organizations, in the award’s seven categories were given
the chance to face
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.
