In support of the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency’s (PNVSCA) nationwide Search for Outstanding Volunteers (SOV), the National Economic and Development Authority Region 02 is now accepting nominations for exemplary volunteers based in the region until 30 July 2016.

The SOV puts faces and names to the unsung and ordinary Filipino citizens and organizations who have rendered priceless and noble acts of service towards nation-building and community development. Since 2001, 129 volunteers and volunteer organizations have been recognized by the national government, through the SOV. This yearly centerpiece event culminates with the awarding ceremony during the celebration of the National Volunteer Month (NVM) in December.

Through the Search, PNVSCA acknowledges the significant role of volunteers as indispensible partners of both the government and the private sector in their development efforts to uplift the lives of the people, especially the marginalized. It also serves as a platform to promote and share best practices in volunteerism, PNVSCA Executive Director De Vera said.

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.

NEDA RO2 Regional Director MaryAnne E.R. Darauay encourages everyone to participate in the Search. Volunteerism is an exciting endeavor; especially that many of our volunteers in the region have gained national acclaim through the SOV. We hope that we generate more nominations for this years Search and hopefully all will make it to the national finals, Director Darauay said.

Nominations for volunteers and volunteer organizations in the region can be addressed and submitted to:

Dir. MaryAnne E.R. Darauay
NEDA Regional Office 02
NEDA-RDC Bldg., Regional Government Center, Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City
Or send to: neda_ro2@yahoo.com

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 are in charge of the receipt, validation and documentation of the nominations in respective regions. A National Selection Committee (NSC) selects the national and regional awardees.

Information on how to participate to the SOV is available at www.pnvsca.gov.ph, www.facebook.com/innovatecooperateinspire, and neda.rdc2.gov.ph.