BAYANI KA! AWARDS WINNERS The big winners during the 2nd Regional BayanI Ka! Awards held at FB Hotel and Convention Center in Koronadal City. Mayor Diosdado Pallasigue of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat for Best Municipal Local Chief Executive Category (3rd from left), Marcelo Gusanan for Best Community Volunteer Category (4th from left), Jeric Santillana, Barangay Captain of Tambilil, Kiamba, Sarangani Province for Best Barangay Local Chief Executive Category (2nd from right). Also in the picture is DSWD-12 assistant regional director for operation, Gemma Rivera (extreme right), assistant regional director for administration, Emerita Q. Dizon (2nd from left) with PIA Regional Director, Olivia Sudaria (extreme left)

Koronadal City––The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region-12 recently recognized individuals for their selfless efforts, contributing in development of their respective communities, an agency official said Thursday.

Gemma N. Rivera, DSWD-12 assistant regional director said that the recognition was part of the initiative of one of the agency’s flagship poverty-reduction programs, Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-A Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS).

Dubbed as “BayanI Ka! Awards”, it aims to recognize the exemplary efforts of community volunteers and local government unit (LGU) partners in ensuring not only the completion of their identified sub-projects, but also in actively supporting citizen participation in local governance and poverty alleviation initiatives.

Marcelo Gusanan, a B’laan volunteer from Barangay Eday, Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, was hailed as Best Community Volunteer.

Gusanan was recognized for his leadership in the transformation of Eday, a 100% Indigenous Peoples’ community, from being known as one of the hardest to reach and less privileged village to now one of the progressive places in town by harnessing “people’s power” for peace and development.

Hailed as Best Barangay Local Chief Executive, Jeric Santillana, the barangay captain of Tambilil, Kiamba, Sarangani Province, was recognized for his passion and commitment to serve beyond the usual call of duty, is known as among the new breed of young good leaders that highly values honesty, integrity, courage and leads with conscience-which are now rare brand of service among leaders.

Hon. Diosdado Pallasigue, the municipal mayor of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat was recognized as Best Municipal Chief Executive.

Pallasigue was recognized for embodying the “Mahusay at Matino” concepts in the implementation of various programs and projects, especially of Kalahi-CIDSS.

Pallasigue’s kind of governance has translated valuable gains to the various sectors of town, especially the poor and less privileged individuals.

On the other hand, DSWD also gave advocacy awards to individuals and partners organizations in popularizing Kalahi-CIDSS in the region.

Awardees include Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation as Best Media Partner, Philippine Information Agency Region-12 as Most Supportive Government Agency, the Municipal Local Social Welfare Office of Columbio as Best BayanI Ka! Partner.

Furthermore, Mrs. Angelita Albarina of Maasim, Sarangani was recognized as Gender Champion for her contribution in advocating women equality by providing opportunities for women in taking active roles in community activities through Kalahi-CIDSS.

As a CDD program, Kalahi-CIDSS build up on empowering the citizens and tightening their links with their LGUs so that they can work together to ensure their villages’ progress. Through this strategy, people are given the power and the resources so they can address their issues that affect or worsen their poverty situation.

Written by: Hilbert T. Estacion