To recognize the noble acts of volunteerism by individuals, institutions and communities as vital partners in economic and community development, the Search for the Outstanding Volunteers 2023 was formally launched by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) on June 15, 2023 via Zoom. In Davao Region, the Search is spearheaded by a Regional Screening Committee (RSC) chaired by NEDA XI Regional Director Maria Lourdes D. Lim, with DILG XI, PIA XI, and CSC XI as members.

The Search is open to individuals and organizations currently providing volunteer assistance in the Philippines that include individuals of Filipino citizenship, Filipino or local chapters of foreign/international non-profit organizations, and Filipino or local chapters of foreign/international corporate organizations.

The categories and criteria for the SOV 2023 are as follows:

  1. National Outstanding Volunteer Award (NOVA)
    • Individual-Youth
      • Filipino citizen
      • 15 to 30 years old\
      • has been actively/consistently volunteering for the last three (3) years
      • has not been found guilty of crime or offense involving moral turpitude
    • Individual-Adult
      • Filipino citizen
      • at least 31 years old
      • has been actively/consistently volunteering for the last five (5) years
      • has not been found guilty of crime or offense involving moral turpitude
    • Organization-Non-Profit
      • has been actively/consistently providing volunteer assistance for five (5) years
      • must be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or PNVSCA or other duly recognized accrediting government institution; or recognized as a volunteer organization by the local government, local institution or community being provided with volunteer services
    • Organization-Corporate
      • has been actively/consistently providing volunteer assistance for three (3) years
      • must be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or PNVSCA or other duly recognized accrediting government institution; or recognized as a volunteer organization by the local government, local institution or community being provided with volunteer services
  1. Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award (VLAA)

The VLAA is conferred upon an individual or organization having at least 25 years of consistent and outstanding volunteer service and whose achievement is regarded as an inspiration and role model in the field of volunteerism.

  1. Special Award for the Local Government Unit

This Award is conferred upon an LGU that implements outstanding volunteer programs or initiatives that promote the participation of civil society organizations or volunteer individuals in local governance. Submission of nominations to this category will be by invitation only.

Interested applicants may obtain nomination forms from the Regional Offices of the NEDA, CSC, DILG and PIA. Forms may also be downloaded from the PNVSCA website, www.pnvsca.gov.ph and NEDA XI website www.nro11.neda.gov.ph

Deadline for submission of nominations is on August 25, 2023. Please send your nomination addressed to the NEDA XI Regional Director, Chairperson of the SOV RSC XI, NEDA Regional Office XI, NEDA-RDC XI Center, Km. 7, Bangkal, Davao City. Inquiries may be directed to the Committee Secretariat at telephone numbers (082) 2960160 to 64 local 112 or email at nro11@neda.gov.ph

(Janice May A. Cerezo, NEDA XI)