The Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), once again takes the lead in recognizing champions of volunteerism as it launches the 2015 Search for Outstanding Volunteers (SOV).
The yearly search aims to give recognition to the unsung and ordinary Filipino citizens and organizations who have contributed extraordinary milestones for the country through their small, yet invaluable, acts of service towards nation-building and national development. The SOV is the yearly centerpiece event culminating with the celebration of the National Volunteer Month (NVM) every December.
Through the SOV, PNVSCA gives importance to volunteerism as a platform to encourage people and groups to offer their services, talents and expertise as development partners of the government to harness the spirit of bayanihan to make a difference in the lives of the people and communities., PNVSCA Director Joselito De Vera said.
Since its inception in 2001, 119 volunteers and volunteer organizations have been recognized by the national government, through the SOV, with their significant contributions towards the upliftment of the lives of many Filipinos especially those in the grassroots and disadvantaged sectors of the country.
The Search is open to the following individuals and organizations currently providing volunteer assistance in the Philippines. Individuals of Filipino citizenship – Filipino or local chapters of foreign/international non-profit organizations; and Filipino or local chapters of foreign/international corporate organizations are entitled to join the SOV.
Nominations are accepted for the following categories:
1. National Outstanding Volunteer Award:
a. Individual: Youth and Adult
b. Organization: Not-for Profit and Corporate
2. Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award
a. Individual
b. Organization
The Special Citation award is also conferred to outstanding volunteers who do not qualify under the regular SOV categories but which are deemed equally meritorious in accomplishment.
The SOV is conducted by the PNVSCA and the National Volunteer Month Steering Committee (NVM-SC) in cooperation with the Regional Search Committees chaired by the NEDA Regional Offices, the Department of the Interior and Local Government for the National Capital Region and the Regional Planning and Development Office in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The, RSCs will be accepting nominations from 1 April until 30 June 2015. NCR nominations may also be submitted to the PNVSCA.
This year, Director De Vera hopes to generate more participation in the SOV. As the country continues to face the challenges of an evolving volunteer landscape, we encourage greater participation and cooperation by all sectors of society in recognizing outstanding individuals and groups that brought life-changing and life-saving acts through volunteerism. We invite everyone to join and be part in this years accolade for volunteerism champions.
Additional information on how to participate and nominate to the SOV is available at the following:
1. PNVSCA
Website: www.pnvsca.gov.ph
Email: nfo@pnvsca.gov.ph
Telephone: (02)225 3267
2. NEDA Regional Offices
3. Regional Planning and Development Office- Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
4. Bureau of Local Government Development-Department of the Interior and Local Government