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DELEGATES FROM THE 36TH SHIP FOR SOUTHEAST ASIAN YOUTH PROGRAM VISITS PNVSCA

A group of 38 delegates from the 36th batch of the Ship For Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) coming from Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Lao PDR, and the Philippines visited the PNVSCA office last 13 November 2009.

The SSEAYP is an annual cultural exchange program sponsored by the government of Japan in cooperation with the ASEAN member countries for the youth to gather and discuss pertinent issues affecting the youth today.

PNVSCA was chosen because of its relevance to one of the topics in the Group Discussion component of the program which is about Volunteer Activities. PNVSCA gave a briefing on its organizations history, mandates and functions and the various program and partners in the volunteer program.

To give added personal dimensions of volunteering, three volunteers namely Mr. Jerome Villacorta, a student volunteer in the field of health from the University of the Philippines – Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, Ms. Phoebe Patricia Hardefeldt, alternative education, from the Australian Youth Ambassador for Development (AYAD) and Ms. Amelia Cervales, volunteer management system and organizational development, a returned VSO Bahaginan volunteers were invited by PNVSCA to share their experiences as volunteers. The different perspectives provided by the resource persons enriched the knowledge of the delegates on the various facets of volunteer life during the Open Forum segment.

Commissioner Benjie S. Oliva of the National Youth Commission joined the group during the visit and gave the closing message thanking the PNVSCA for supporting the SSEAYP Program Institutional Visit for the fruitful visit.

A Lifetime of Volunteering: Mrs. Amelia Juico-Gordon

Mrs. Amelia Juico-Gordon’s life was committed to volunteerism and the welfare of the marginalized. For her, “true service lives in the words of Jesus, which are the source of my joy in serving: whoever aspires to greatness must serve the rest; and whoever wants to rank first among you, must serve the needs of all.” When she passed away last November 17, 2009, she left behind a legacy of service not only to her family but countless others whose lives she touched with love.

“She is the Number One Volunteer”, recalled Senator Richard J. Gordon to Director Joselito C. de Vera, when the latter visited the wake of Mrs. Gordon in Sanctuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati City. As Mrs. Gordon’s son, it is no surprise that Senator Gordon, who himself is known as Mr. Volunteer, has exemplified the same passion for volunteerism and public service.

Mrs. Gordon’s contributions to the upliftment of the lives of people and communities through her volunteer works has been recognized by the P amelia_gordon hilippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) and the National Volunteer Month Steering Committee (NVMSC) by honoring her with the Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award (VLAA) in December 2005. The VLAA is the highest recognition given to an individual or an organization with significant contributions to and serving as role model in the promotion of volunteerism for development.

Mrs. Gordon was the wife of the late James Gordon who was considered the father of Olongapo City. When Mayor Gordon was assassinated in 1967, Mrs. Gordon was thrown into full-time public service. As city mayor, she completed the first Master Plan for the city through the Olongapo Land Development and Urban Planning Authority - an interdisciplinary planning group of resident professionals and government officials. After her term as mayor ended in 1971, she served as Assemblywoman in the Batasang Pambansa. She sponsored a congressional act that enabled the proceeds from the sales of titled land within Olongapo to be retained in the city treasury as the community’s development fund. She built new settlements and extended the city’s public service to the residents of formerly underserved communities. She also founded the Iba-Olongapo Catholic Women’s League, the Olongapo Red Cross and the Olongapo Civic Action Group.

One of Mrs. Gordon’s life-long commitment is the welfare of children especially those who are orphaned and abandoned. She has been a mother to countless unwanted young people, legally adopting around 60 children raising them as her own. Their home became a nursery. Together with her husband, they set up the Boys’ Town and Girls’ Home for orphaned children of Filipino-American parents. Today, these children have grown to be responsible successful adults.

PNVSCA and the volunteer community in the Philippines extend its sincere condolences to the family of Mrs. Gordon. She was an extraordinary mother, a great leader and the number one volunteer.

A series of Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with the voluntary sector on the RA 9418 will be conducted by PNVSCA, in partnership with the Committee on Rural Development of the House of Representatives, Congress of the Philippines, starting October 19, 2009. This is in preparation to the National Forum on Volunteerism as a Development Strategy: Towards the Formulation of a Roadmap or Strategic Action Plan for the Voluntary Sector to be held on December 2, 2009.

The FGD is intended to discuss and flesh out issues and recommendations in the form of sub-sectoral volunteer plans, programs and project activities critical to the achievement of development goals and objectives for the voluntary sector.

There will be six (6) separate and dedicated FGD sessions (1:30 p.m.) to be convened on invitation to volunteer stakeholders on the following dates and venue:

October 19 (Monday) – with the academe sector at Congress
October 27 (Tuesday) – with the NGAs and LGUs at Congress
October 28 (Wednesday) – with the corporate sector at Congress
November 4 (Wednesday) – with Not-for-Profit organizations/NGOs at PNVSCA
November 10 (Tuesday) – with local volunteers at PNVSCA

Based on your understanding of the provisions of RA 9418, what do you perceive as the top reforms in the voluntary sector?

Based on your identified reforms in the voluntary sector, what do you perceive as the challenges and opportunities for the stakeholders, including your organization?

How do you define the role of the voluntary sector in development? Of your organization? Of the other stakeholders in the sector?

Based on your appreciation of the reforms, challenges and opportunities in the voluntary sector, what specific programs or projects and activities will you propose to be undertaken in the next 3 to 6 years?

What measures do you suggest to further deepen volunteerism as a development strategy?

Officials from the Kenyan Ministry of Youth and Sports held a study tour in RP to learn from the Philippine experience to build their knowledge in running a government led volunteer and youth service program. The government of Kenya hopes to set up a National Volunteering scheme that will strengthen volunteerism and contribute to community development, understanding between communities and promoting peaceful environment. The ten (10) delegates visited PNVSCA office last 23 September 2009 to learn about the country’s national volunteer service program and how the PNVSCA implements its programs and coordination with its various stakeholders.

PNVSCA presented to the group the Agency’s profile, mandates and its various local and international programs and the newly enacted law on volunteerism- RA 9418, the government’s framework on the national volunteering. The Open Forum drew the groups inquiry on policies, roles, mandates and the participation of various volunteer groups in the overall coordination function of the Agency.

Hosted by VSO Bahaginan, the study tour was conducted last September 19-28, 2009. The group was accompanied by Annet Mpabulungi- Wakabi, UNV Country Coordinator in Nairobi, Kenya and two (2) VSO- Kenya staffmembers. The group visited selected projects of the PNVSCA’s Volunteer For Information and Development Assistance (VIDA) Program in Iligan last 25-26 September to have a more concrete understanding and ground-level experience on how the VIDA program is implemented in the community.

The study-tour is part of VSO Bahaginan’s continuning advocacy to promote national volunteering as a strategy for participatory development. It support organizations with the capacity to set up and manage their own volunteer programs as a tool for alleviating poverty and disadvantage.

UP-MANILA UGNAYAN NG PAHINUNGOD CELEBRATES 16TH YEAR OF INCEPTION
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Director Joselito C. de Vera of the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) graced the 16th Inception Anniversary celebration of the UP Manila – Ugnayan ng Pahinungod.

In his message delivered during a simple ceremony held at the Social Hall of UP Manila last 18 September 2009, Director De Vera, touches on the challenges and opportunities presented to the academic communities given the newly enacted law on volunteerism – the Republic Act No. 9418: An Act Institutionalizing a Strategy For Development, Strengthening Volunteerism and For Other Purposes. He stressed the importance of the law on the more dynamic role of the academe in the promotion, inculcation and implementation volunteerism among the students, faculties and staff members of educational institutions across the country.

He congratulated UP Manila Ugnayan ng Pahinungod and cited for its exemplary modeling in the academic circle on how volunteerism could make a difference in the lives of students, faculties and staff and the communities it serve under its various programs namely: Educational Assistance Program (Gurong Pahinungod), Teachers Development Program, Tutorial Services Program, Health Missions Program, Health Training Program, Emergency Room Volunteers Program, Summer Immersion Service Program and Program For Street Children
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Pahinungod is a Cebuano term that denotes offering of one self to a higher cause. Ugnayan ng Pahinungod as an idea, began in September 1983 when the UP System was under Dr. Emil Q. Javier. Its creation was partly a response to the findings of a university-sponsored Knowledge, Attitude and Value Study which created a disturbing perception that UP has lost its soul. But its deeper reason is the belief that UP is more than just a learning institution but has social and moral responsibility to get involved in the life of the nation through the willing service of its faculty, students, alumni, employees as well as its units and organizations they represent in areas of greatest need. UP-UP was formally established in February 28, 1994. It is existing in the autonomous campuses of Manila, Baguio, Los Banos Visayas and Mindanao.

22 YOUNG VOLUNTEERS POSTED UNDER DED NEW PROGRAM SCHEME
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The Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) inducted a group of 22 young German volunteers from Weltwaerts Volunteer Service into the various volunteer programs of the Philippines and the key role of the PNVSCA in its implementation. Held last 16 September 2009 in Tanghay View Lodge Resort in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, the institutional orientation is an integrated part of the preparations of the volunteers for their six (6) months stint in various projects clustered in Samar, Bohol and Leyte.

The volunteer service Weltwaerts which literally means “Go For The World” sends young people ages 18 to 28 to social projects in developing countries for voluntary work. Volunteers support the organisations onsite while increasing their own intercultural skills; this leads to the promotion of educational work in the field of development policy and a better understanding of the nations of the world back in Germany. Guided by the motto: Learning By Serving, the program aims to strengthen global learning and intercultural understanding. Welwaerts recruits are from young people with non-academic background and within lower income group. Their tour of duty runs from 6 months to 2 years
DED is the Technical Secretariat of the Weltwaerts and provides advises and supports to sending organizations from Germany coming from NGOs and GOs alike. As of 2008, the program has assisted 1,038 projects around the world in the field of education, health, agriculture, emergency, environment, water, human rights, democratization, youth and sports.

The 20th observance of the National Statistics Month (NSM) starts today, October 1, 2009, with a simple ceremony to be held at 8:30a.m. at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The annual statistical event is spearheaded by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) with the Department of National Defense (DND) as host, focusing on the security sector with the theme “Enhancing Security Sector Statistics for Good Governance, Peace and Sustainable Development” or “Pagpapahusay ng Estadistika sa Sektor Panseguridad para sa Mabuting Pamamahala, Kapayapaan at Maipagpatuloy na Pagpapaunlad”.

DND Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro will be the keynote speaker during the event while NSCB Secretary General Romulo A. Virola will deliver the welcome remarks. Highlights of the program include presentations on security sector statistics by the DND; measuring peace in the community by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP), and the launching of the NSCB Interagency Committee on Security Sectors Statistics (IAC-SSS). The IAC-SSS will be a forum on how to improve security sector statistics in the country, including a disaster management information system that can prepare us better to cope with the devastation caused by natural disasters like typhoon “Ondoy”.

In a simple despedida party, Socio-Economic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director General Ralph Recto bids farewell to all NEDAns and its attached agencies. Held last 14 August 2009, the event marked the last day of Recto as Socio-Economic Planning Secretary.

Secretary Recto arrived with his wife, Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto and their son Ryan much to the delight of the waiting NEDAns who welcomed the family with cheers and admiration.

In his speech, Secretary Recto clarified that his early resignation has nothing to do with his disagreement with some policy issues on oil prices. He voluntarily tendered his resignation because of his conviction that NEDA should be managed on a full time basis by someone who has no elective position in mind. He felt that his continued stay in NEDA will deprived the office of his full time commitment as he could no longer effectively dispense his duties given his intention to run again for 2010 elections. He emphasized that while others take advantage of their position to prepare themselves for election, he is depriving himself of the “soap box” and the “bullhorn” that his office will give him – an advantage he is not willing to take. He lauded the NEDA staff for their professionalism and excellence in the conduct of their work and expressed amazement on their skills in crunching numbers and incisive analysis.

Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, took the opportunity to acknowledge Recto’s support to her as an adviser in her being a governor and expressed pride in her husband’s readiness to be of assistance to all people. She said that her husband will always be supportive of NEDA.

As a token of appreciation and endearment to the charismatic DG, NEDANs filled the events with different presentations with songs, dances, poetry, singing and drinking.

The Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) guested in one of the popular afternoon radio program of Christian Era Broadcasting Service aired over DZEM to announce the annual Search for Outstanding Volunteers (SOV). PNVSCA represented by Mr. Kenneth Siruelo and Efren Antiporda explained the mechanics of the search and detailed the requirements for participating in the annual event. Mr. Siruelo underscored that the award is a gesture of the government to recognize volunteers achievements and accomplishments in society and promote the value of volunteerism across all sectors to effect social and economic transformation.

The generous program hosts Ms. Julie Fernando and Mr. Marvin Perfecto shared the airtime with PNVSCA in cooperation and in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), one of the members of National Volunteer Month Steering Committee and member of the National Search Committee for the SOV. The SOV has been running for almost ten years now since 2001 and has conferred awards to 65 outstanding individual and organizations from the non-profit, academe, corporate and the government sector.

On July 2, 2009, Socio-Economic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director-General (DG) Ralph G. Recto took time to visit the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), one of the NEDA attached agencies based in Quezon City

PNVSCA presented to DG Recto PNVSCA’s mandate, its various programs and the role of volunteerism in national development. During the presentation, DG Recto queried on the agency’s program partners and the degree of support extended by NEDA and its regional offices. The DG’s attention was particularly caught by the recognition we confer to Filipino volunteers through the Search for Outstanding Volunteers (SOV), an activity aimed to highlight and recognize the exemplary performance and dedication to service of Filipino volunteers in building strong communities across the country through volunteerism.

The DG despite his busy schedule made it a point to be in-touch with NEDA attached agencies. The visit revealed the charismatic appeal and the very warm personality of the DG which wowed most PNVSCA staff. PNVSCA Executive Director Joselito C. de Vera initiated the getting to know you by introducing DG Recto to the agency’s staff. The staff also got the opportunity to introduce themselves which further liven up the event as some staff are self-confessed Ate Vi fan (Batangas Governor Vilma Santos).

To commemorate the visit, the DG signed a copy of the PNVSCA Vision, Mission and Value Statement for posterity. The occasion affirmed the support and commitment of NEDA to its attached agencies and is a great morale boost to us all.

Mr. Kim In of the KOICA (seated 2nd-L), Usec Vilma Labrador of Deped (center) and Director de Vera of PNVSCA (seated 4th-L0 led the MOA signing

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) forged a tripartite agreement last June 10, 2009 on the project “Enhancing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Special Education (SPED)” in selected elementary schools and centers of DepEd.

The project involves the deployment of Korea Overseas Volunteers (KOVs) in elementary schools for a period of five (5) years from 2009-2014 to provide technical assistance in enhancing curriculum content, capacitate teachers and establish ICT infrastructure and application systems. The ICT Projects cover CAR, Regions IV-B, V and VI while the SPED Projects will be piloted in the DepEd Regional SPED Centers located in Regions V to VIII and the CAR.

Signatories to the MOA are Hon. Vilma L. Labrador, DepEd Undersecretary for Programs and Projects, Mr. Kim In, KOICA Resident Representative and PNVSCA Director Joselito C. De Vera.

KOICA has intensified its technical cooperation assistance to the country by adopting a more programmatic approach and team-volunteering strategy in its deployment scheme. It has generated greater local partner participation through its purposive advocacy meeting in strategic regions in the country based on the development priorities of the country since its inception in 1990.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency-Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JICA-JOCV) and the PNVSCA conducted a joint Advocacy Meeting last 20 May 2009. The event was hosted by the Diocese of Daet, Socio Pastoral Action Center Foundation, Inc. in Camambugan, Daet, Camarines Norte. It was attended by 60 participants from various organizations in the region.

The activity aimed to create public awareness on the various volunteer programs and activities implemented and coordinated by PNVSCA and the JICA/JOCV. Likewise, this was envisioned as a convergence of various stakeholders in the region to promote volunteerism in local and national development and an avenue for the sharing of information on programs and activities on volunteerism.

Ms. Irene Volante representing PNVSCA Director Joselito C de Vera welcomed the participants. Mr. Masafumi Nagaishi, JICA Representative gave the closing remarks acknowledging the participation of various organizations and thanking the Diocese for co-hosting the activity.

Mr. Masaki Kinemuchi of JICA presented the JOCV Program including the recruitment cycle of the JOCV and the process of requesting for volunteers. PNVSCA presented the National Volunteer Service Program including the RA 9418 and the Search for Outstanding Volunteers (SOV). A one-on-one presentation with LGU Daet on the Bayanihang Program was also conducted by Ms. Volante after the meeting.

The Advocacy Meeting was able to generate more requests beyond the expectations of JICA. Some of the skills areas proposed by the participants include removal of Mercury tailing in gold mines in the region, prevention and control of sea weed pests and weather forecasting for effective crop management. A project visit was conducted by JICA to some potential local partner organizations after the session.

Mr. Nagaishi is eyeing to conduct another advocacy meeting in the region due to the generous response shown by the various organizations on the volunteer program.

Director Joselito C. de Vera of PNVSCA (center) and Mr. Kim In of KOICA (L) led the MOA signing

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) and NEDA Regional Offices VIII and XIII forged a Tripartite Agreement last May 4, 2009 on the Setting – Up of Volunteer Database and Information System (VDIS) and Volunteer Placements for Small – Scale Rural Development Project in selected NEDA Regional Offices (NROs).

The project aims to learn, understand, and assess volunteer placement opportunities in the provincial and municipal levels; develop and improve Volunteer Database and Information System (VDIS) of the concerned NROs which will include database on volunteer assistance and identify potential KOV and other foreign volunteer placements in rural development projects such as agriculture, information communication technology, education, public health in target provinces and municipalities.

Signatories to the MOA are Mr. Kim In, KOICA Resident Representative, Director Buenaventura C. Go-Soco of NEDA Regional Office VIII, Director Carmencita Cochingco of NRO XIII and Director Joselito C. De Vera of the PNVSCA.

KOICA started deploying volunteers in the Philippines in 1990 and focuses its development cooperation activities in supporting the human resources development and providing material and physical support necessary to reduce poverty and achive sustainable development of partner countries.

Auditors from the KOICA Headquarters were in the Philippines last April 18-22, 2009 to audit and oversee the existing KOICA projects in the country. They are Mr. Young Bang Yoo, Auditor and Ms. Yeung Mi Choi, Assistant Auditor. The visit is an annual activity being conducted by KOICA.

Mr. Yoo and Ms. Bomin Kim, KOICA Deputy Resident Representative, together with Administrative Officer of KOICA Philippines Mr. Young-il Jang and KOV Program Officer Mr. Francis Afable met with Executive Director Joselito C. de Vera and some of PNVSCA staff last 21 April. Mr. Yoo pointed out that the visit aimed to monitor KOICA ODA projects in the Philippines and to monitor KOV volunteers, see how the volunteers are working and get idea on how to develop more projects in the future. He expressed appreciation about the close cooperation between South Korea and the Philippines and hope that this cooperation will continue in the future.

The group visited the PNVSCA Volunteer Knowledge and Resource Center (VKRC) which was initially set-up through the financial grant given by KOICA.

The meeting was also attended by KOV volunteers Hye Min Kang (KC) and Young Ju Kim (Aira) who are presently assisting PNVSCA’s database and website development.

The Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), in cooperation with the Bayanihang bb planning & sharing

Bayan (BB) Program partner agencies organized the 2009 BB Planning and Sharing Session held on 19-20 February at Ciudad Cristia Resort, San Mateo, Rizal. The activity aimed to strengthen the camaraderie and partnerships among program partners and to exchange information on the best practices in their respective agencies. A common plan of action to strengthen the BB Program implementation and coordination was drawn by the participants.

BB Desk Officers from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Departmenr of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Parole and Probation Administration (PPA), participated in the workshop. Other participants came from Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), City Governments of Marikina, Quezon City and Manila, and NGO representatives from the Philippine Association For Volunteer Effort (PAVE), Hands On Manila (HOM), and CSC Retirees Association (CSCRA). The sessions focused on topics on Volunteerism as a Strategy for Development and Challenges and Opportunities in Bayanihang Bayan Program. The second day culminated in the formulation of an Action Plan. The session outputs highlighted the need to strengthen the BB Program through advocacy, common guidelines and training of BB Desk Officers. The participants also saw the BB Program as a strategy to address global crisis by engaging volunteers in income generating programs and projects and generation of livelihood opportunities and provisions of psycho-social interventions to enable the people to cope with challenges.

Bayanihang Bayan is a volunteer program for government service which was created by Memorandum Order No. 45 in December 7, 2001 to give private individuals and organizations to render volunteer service to the programs and projects of the government.

Workshop participants: (Front row L-R) Fe Nadado ( PNVSCA), Esperanza Carating (DOH), Janet Cruz (DOH), Peter Paul Gianan (DOST), Julita Mustapha (DENR), Director Joselito C. De Vera (PNVSCA), Melinda Daroy (LGU-Marikina), Fe Wong (PPA), Rosario Labastida (PPA), Nelly Adigue (CSC-RA), Corazon Macaraig (PNVSCA) Second row L-R) Jose Bautisa (LGU-Manila), Andres Espinosa (DOLE), Pablo Espejo Jr. (DOT), Toni Binalla (DSWD), Ma. Marcy Ballesteros (DAR), Dondon Marquez (HOM), Timothy Gabuna (PAVE), Tess Bahom (PNVSCA) Norie Garcia (HOM), Irene Volante (PNVSCA), Roy Gulane (DENR)

Last week the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme reached out to young Filipino leaders in Vigan City.

The second Youth Empowerment Series for the Millennium Development Goals (YES4MDGs) was conducted on 12-13 February in collaboration with the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), the United Nations Associations of the Philippines, and the University of Northern Philippines.

"This activity highlights the dynamic partnership among the UN agencies, government, academe, and non-government organizations toward stronger multi-sectoral collaboration in development efforts," says Joselito de Vera, Executive Director of PNVSCA.

Over 40 leaders from five universities participated in the two-day programme covering a range of topics including:

For many of the students, it provided a wealth of new information. “This training makes me realize the reality of our society,” says Emed Ferrer, the president of the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College student council. “This is truly the most unforgettable training I’ve attended in my entire college life.”

The Youth Empowerment Series are designed to strengthening leadership skills and networks, promote awareness of effective HIV/AIDS prevention and provide essential information on volunteering and active involvement in development.

“Motivating others to act, utilizing existing resources, and making change towards betterment can be achieved by quality leadership and volunteerism,” says Precious Angelique (17) from St. Paul University Philippines. “The vision of the youth, accompanied by their passion to serve, for the mission of leaving a legacy of better life, hope, and love will burn in our hearts forever.”

The Philippine Normal University in Cadiz City will host the next YES 4 MDGs on February 27-28, 2009.

Three Korean Overseas Volunteers (KOVs) - Ms. Songi Gwon (or Olivia for those having difficulty with her Korean name), Ms. Ho Ah Lee (Serena), and Mr. Chan Ho Park (Peter) were eagerly awaiting the visit of no less than the KOICA President, Mr. Daewon Park to the Gen. Trias Dairy Raisers Multi-Purpose Cooperative. These KOVs have been assisting the cooperative in planning its activities, in coaching the members in milk quality testing, in the conduct of yoghurt sensory test and in the packaging of milk products.

Dr. Arnel Del Barrio, the Center Director of Philippine Carabao Center – UP Los Banos brie

fed the visiting delegation on the objectives and coverage of the KOICA-assisted project on “Improving Village Level Milk Production, Collection and Processing.” The project is also being supported by the Municipal Government of Gen. Trias, DTI and PCARRD/DOST. Dr. Del Barrio also informed the group that currently, the member-farmers being the main providers of carabao milk are still using hand milking and double boiler pasteurizer and through the assistance of the project cooperators, they hope to acquire milking machines, batch pasteurizer and soft ice cream maker to improve the milking system and for possible project expansion. The cooperative’s office also serves as the processing center and distributor of carabao dairy products in the area such as choco-milk, white cheese, pastilles, yoghurt, among others. One of the KOVs, Olivia even demonstrated to the group how to make yoghurt.

The next stop for the delegation was the farm at Barangay Navarro where most of the cooperative members reside. The Municipality of Gen. Trias and Barangay Navarro prepared a short program as the visit coincided with the celebration of the 1st Dairy Buffalo Festival. Approximately 100 crossbred buffalos were brought by the cooperative members to the site for the activity. In his message, the KOICA President said that he recognized the good cooperation between KOICA, the PCC, the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) and the Local Government Units. President Park affirmed KOICA’s support for the proposed expansion of the program to the other regions. The Municipal Mayor Luis Ferrer acknowledged the important role of and expressed his gratitude to the project in assisting the dairy farmers as well as the overall economic development of the local dairy industry.

A simple awarding KOICA President Mr. Daewon Park

ceremony capped the visit. The LGU, PCC and KOICA awarded four (4) Dairy Buffalo to deserving farmers, in addition to the conferment of recognition for Best Purebred Buffalo, Best Crossbred Buffalo and the Best Philippine Carabao. In gratitude, Mayor Ferrer presented certificates of appreciation to KOICA and the Hangkyong National University (HNU) for their support in the development of the dairy industry in General Trias.

The KOICA President’s visit was organized by KOICA-Philippines in partnership with PCC, the UPLB, the Municipality of Gen. Trias and Barangay Navarro and the PNVSCA to provide opportunity for the KOICA President as well as the HNU officials to be exposed in community based KOV assisted projects.

PNVSCA Executive Director Joselito de Vera and Ms. Dianne Manaligod

The signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9418 on February 5, 2009 paved the way towards a stronger collaboration between the government and the private volunteer sector, particularly with the academe, corporate sector, the not-for –profit organizations and as the foreign volunteer community. The IRR provides the blueprint for an effective coordination and collaboration scheme in the implementation of their volunteer programs and projects to complement government priority development concerns. The IRR is a reason to rejoice for all volunteers and volunteer organizations who have been clamoring for the passage of a law that gives protection and due recognition to the contributions of volunteers in society.

The RA 9418 an “Act Institutionalizing Strategy for Rural Development, Strengthening Volunteerism And For Other Purposes”, otherwise known as the “Volunteer Act of 2007” provides the policy and institutional framework for integrating and harmonizing the various volunteering efforts in the country.

The signatories to the historic document are the members of the Multi-Sectoral Advisory Body MSAB led by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA). The MSAB is the policy advisory body of the PNVSCA. At present, the MSAB is composed of government and private sector representatives, as follows: the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Immigration (BI)/DOJ, Department of Education (DepEd), Presidential Management Staff (PMS), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).

NEDA Director Cleofe S. Pastrana delivered the message of Socio economic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director-General Ralph G. Recto who acknowledges the support of the various volunteer organizations in the passage of RA 9418. His message outlines the opportunities the law provides to strengthen the civil society participation in governance.

The House Committee on Rural Development was represented by its Acting Committee Secretary Ms. Dianne Manaligod. She conveyed the message of the Honorable Representative Arrel R. Olaño, who sponsored and authored RA No. 9418, stressing the importance given by both Houses of Congress in passing the law. His message concludes that through volunteerism much can be achieved in advancing rural development. A copy of the signed IRR was handed over by PNVSCA Executive Director Joselito C. de Vera to Ms. Manaligod.

The Multi-Sectoral Advisory Body (MSAB) of the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) has approved the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9418 – An Act Institutionalizing Strategy For Rural Development, Strengthening Volunteerism And For Other Purposes also known as the “Volunteer Act of 2007.”

The signing of the IRR is set on 5 February 2009, 11:00 a.m. at the PNVSCA Bulwagan Bayanihan. This will be led by PNVSCA Executive Director Joselito C. de Vera and members of the MSAB composed of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Immigration (BI), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Presidential Management Staff (PMS), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).

RA 9418 serves as a policy and institutional framework for integrating and harmonizing the various volunteering effort in the country and ensuring the smooth coordination among volunteers and volunteer organizations in pursuit of the goals and objectives of the voluntary sector for national development and international cooperation.

Invited to grace the occasion are Socio-economic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director-General Ralph G. Recto, Congressman Arrel R. Olaño, Chairperson of the House Committee on Rural Development and major sponsor of RA 9418, former Senator and Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development Senator Sergio de la Rama Osmena III, local and foreign volunteer organizations and partners in the academe, the corporate, non-profit sector and government representing the broad spectrum of the volunteer community in the Philippines.

Eighteen (18) Korea Overseas Volunteers (KOV) is set to be assigned in the Philippines to provide technical assistance in different development activities. The new batch of volunteers known as Batch 27 will work on various projects implemented by their local partner organizations. The volunteers who arrived last 10 September 2007 will undergo 6 weeks language and culture training. The group will add to contributions of sixty-one (61) KOV volunteers in the country as of August this year. They are deployed in NRC, CAR, Regions I to VII, XI and XIII. State Colleges and Universities hold the most number of KOV with 22, while NGAs with 9, LGUs with 10 volunteers in place.

The KOV program implemented by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) aims at promoting friendship between Korea and developing host countries through the dispatch of volunteers to participate in world-wide effort to contribute to human betterment based on the spirit of "Share and Respect." The skill areas assisted by KOV are agriculture and fishery, education and culture, vocational-technical training, computer, health, and sports. The term of service of volunteers is two (2) years.

Four (4) representatives from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Head Office were in the Philippines last September 5 to 9 to conduct an evaluation of the Korea Overseas Volunteer (KOV) Program in the country. The mission is composed of Ms. Nam Soon Lee, Manager, Overseas Volunteers Planning Team of KOICA, Mr. Jeong Wook Lee, Manager, Evaluation Office of KOICA, Mr. Won Gyu Choi, Professor, Chonbuk National University and Ms. Myoung Ok Kang, Lecturer from the Konkuk University.

The mission, accompanied by Mr. Jong Yong Park, Senior Administrative Officer of KOICA in the Philippines, met with Executive Director Joselito C. De Vera and PNVSCA staff Corazon Macaraig and Ela Sarmago last 6 September 2007 to discuss the KOV Program specifically the current efforts and future thrusts of KOV in providing volunteer assistance to the Philippines.

Among the major points discussed in the meeting were the priority sectors and areas for foreign volunteer assistance, the strengths and weaknesses of the KOV volunteers, relationship with local partner organizations, volunteer management by the KOICA Philippine Office and recommendations for program enhancement. The KOICA team also expressed keen interest on the national volunteering programs in the Philippines.

Mr. Bekele Yemerou, Programme and Operations Officer of the Asia/Pacific/Europe/CIS Section (APEC) of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) visited PNVSCA as part of a five-day program of a UNV Mission in the Philippines. The mission team is composed of Mr. Yemerou and Mr. Thuan Xuan Nguyen, Senior Programme Specialist, also of UNV APEC.

In a meeting held at PNVSCA on September 4, 2007, Mr. Yemerou and PNVSCA Executive Director Joselito C. de Vera discussed the continuing partnership specifically the renewal of the Memorandum of Agreement between UNV and PNVSCA, the thrusts of the Philippine volunteer program and of UNV in the Philippines and possible partnership projects and activities.

Mr. Yemerou emphasized that UNV is interested in supporting programs for youth, disaster risk reduction management and national volunteering. In line with this, the UNV Mission also met with representatives from the UN agencies in the Philippines as well as other local agencies and organizations involved in the above sectoral concerns to promote volunteerism in the planning and implementation of their projects and activities.

The National Economic and Development Authority celebrated its 35the anniversary with an aural and visual exhibit held at the NEDA Lobby in NEDA sa Pasig, Pasig City. With this year’s theme, “NEDA and Development Planning”, the exhibit featured photographs and publications highlighting the development planning process in the Philippines from NEDA’s creation to the present and selected high-impact projects of the NEDA Regional Offices. An audio-visual presentation on The NEDA Story and KR2 projects prepared by NEDA Development Information Staff were also shown. The ceremony was attended by NEDAns and guests from NEDA attached agencies.

The Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV), welcomes two incoming Program Coordinators Mr. Kinemuchi Masaki, and Ms. Tanaka Chiho. The new coordinators will replace Ms. Yumi Balce and Mr. Masahiro Abe whose contracts finished this year.

Mr. Masaki, 44, who hailed from Niigata-Ken, is a Bachelor of Applied Physics graduate at the Okayama University. He served as a JOCV volunteer in Morocco from 1987 to 1991. After working in Mitsui Mineral Development Engineering Co. Ltd. from 1991 to 1997, he rejoined JOCV in 1997 and assumed various posts until his posting in the Philippines. Mr. Masaki also holds a license in Project Cycle Management Method.

Ms. Tanaka, 38, is from Kanagawa, Japan and is a B.S. Agricultural Chemistry graduate from the University of Tsukuba. She was a former JOCV volunteer in Vietnam from 1999 to 2002. She became a JICA training staff from 2002–2004 and eventually became a Volunteer Coordinator in JICA Palau Office from 2004 until January 2007.

The 138th Batch of Japanese volunteers under the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) were handed over to their host organizations during yesterday’s Turn-Over Ceremony at the ‘Bulwagan Bayanihan”-Volunteer Knowledge and Resource Center (VKRC).
They will assist programs and projects in rural development, maternal child health and nutrition, veterinary medicine, special education of children and the disadvantaged. The JOCVs assignments are as follows:

The volunteers are given Filipino language/local dialect training as appropriate and homestay exposure before they start their assignments. They will stay in the country for a minimum of two (2) years.

The PNVSCA and its partner volunteer organizations and stakeholders celebrated the opening of the ‘Bulwagan Bayanihan”-Volunteer Knowledge and Resource Center (VKRC) last Friday, 25 July, together with the NEDA Family and other guests..

This marks the beginning of the much awaited infrastructure that will capture knowledge and information on volunteering, document best practices and provide venue for exchange of information between and among volunteers and volunteer managers. It is envisioned to be a HUB on volunteering in the country where one finds the appropriate match of volunteer opportunities to demands for volunteering.

VKRC will serve as a venue for briefing, orientation and discussions, training of volunteers and volunteer managers, and for conference, seminar and workshops; and repository of volunteer information and materials where access is made available not only to the volunteer community but to policy makers and the general public.

Above all, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) provided support for the establishment of the center this year.

MOA Signing for the Project “Enhancing Dairy Buffalo Enterprise Development”
KOICA-PCC-PNVSCA

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) and the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) forged a Memorandum of Agreement on 22 July 2008 to deploy Korea Overseas Volunteers (KOVs) in local communities to assist in areas related to dairy business and management, animal husbandry, dairy processing and quality control. The project is in line with the development of dairy production system and improvement of milk quality and products among village-level cooperatives for sustainable buffalo-based enterprise development.

The KOVs shall serve for one (1) year through a team volunteer approach. The team volunteer will comprise three (3) members, who will provide technical expertise to participating centers in Cagayan State University (CSU), UP Los Baños (UPLB), Don Mariano Memorial State University (DMMSU) and Central Luzon State University (CLSU).

The agreement was signed by KOICA Resident Representative In Kim, PCC Executive Director Libertado C. Cruz, and PNVSCA Executive Director Joselito C. de Vera.

Joint Evaluation for the JOCV-DTRI-NDA-PNVSCA
Dairy Development Enhancement Project under JOCV Program

A Japanese Evaluation Team organized by the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers/JICA visited the Philippines on 13 July 2008 to evaluate the Dairy Development Enhancement Project together with the Philippine Evaluation Team.

The joint evaluation study was subjected to five (5) criteria: Relevance, Efficiency, Effectiveness, Impact and Sustainability. The results of which favorably conform to the original goal of alleviating poverty in the rural areas - increase milk production through improvement of management technology for dairy cattle and strengthening the extension support system that increase dairy farmers’ income; consistent with Japan ODA policy of mitigating regional disparities through improving agricultural productivity; and supportive of LGU’s development plans to promote livestock and milk feeding programs as additional source of income for small farmers.

The assistance of 27 Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs) under the Short Term Volunteer Program highly contributed in facilitating knowledge and skills sharing among project counterparts and farmers in the field of breeding, nutrition and milk hygiene, including with those Japanese student volunteers who were on field exposure in the Philippines. PNVSCA coordinated the deployment of the JOCVs and student volunteers.

To sustain the project beyond 2008 when JOCV/JICA assistance is terminated, the National Dairy Authority (NDA) is likely to continue the project in other strategic dairy zones through training and research activities, in cooperation with the Dairy Training and Research Institute (DTRI). Both agencies will provide fund allocations to these continuing project activities in their respective budgets and maintain existing counterpart personnel to work in future projects aimed at promoting the local dairy industry.

As recommended, DTRI, NDA and JOCV will formulate an action plan to ensure that gains derived from the project are sustained, conduct seminar to disseminate achievements and lessons from the project during the remaining project period and for DTRI and NDA to prepare a detailed feasibility study to confirm viability of the action plan and document salient project experiences.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed on April 10, 2007 Republic Act 9418 also known as the “Volunteer Act of 2007” institutionalizing volunteerism as a strategy for national development and international cooperation. RA 9418 was spearheaded by the House Committee on Rural Development chaired by Congressman Arrel Olaño and the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Development chaired by Senator Sergio Osmeña III. It is a collaborative effort of PNVSCA, partner volunteer organizations and advocates of volunteerism toward providing a conducive and enabling environment for volunteering in the Philippines. RA 9418 was published in the Official Gazette on June 11, 2007. Full text of RA 9418…