By Shahana Joy Duerme-Mangasar
August 23, 2025
CITY OF KORONADAL, South Cotabato (PIA) — The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development 12 emphasized the vital role of volunteers in complementing government efforts, particularly in far-flung areas.
In the August 8, 2025 episode of the PIA Talakayang Dose, Romel Patrick Tanghal, assistant regional director of the DEPDev 12, noted that volunteerism in Region 12 has become a lifeblood in effecting peace and progress.
“Ang bolunterismo is a way of life contributing to nation-building and building of communities,” he said.
Tanghal added that volunteer work in the region, especially in the fields of education, health, peace and security, environment, and social protection, has become a model for different sectors in implementing their programs.
In fact, according to him, volunteerism is seriously considered and integrated in the various chapters of the Soccsksargen Regional Development Plan 2023-2028 as a cross-cutting strategy to effect positive change in the region.
In line with this, Tanghal said it is best that those doing volunteer work be recognized through the annual Search for Outstanding Volunteers.
“We are calling for nominations for the Search for Outstanding Volunteers 2025,” he stated, adding that the search aims to recognize the selfless efforts of volunteers who are considered partners of the government in achieving inclusive development.
The search has four categories to include the National Outstanding Volunteer Award (NOVA) with subcategories: Individual-Youth; Individual-Adult; Organization-Non-Profit; and Organization-Corporate; and the Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award (VLAA) which is conferred upon an individual or organization for consistent and outstanding volunteer service.
Also included in the categories are the Outstanding LGU Award, an invitation-only awarding category for LGUs that implement outstanding volunteer programs that promote the participation of civil society organizations or volunteer individuals in local governance, and the Special Award for Higher Education Institutions given to HEIs that integrate volunteerism in its functions of instruction, research, extension, including administration.
For qualifications and requirements for nomination, interested parties may visit the official website and Facebook pages of the DEPDev and the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), an attached agency of the DEPDev mandated to promote and coordinate volunteer programs and services in the Philippines.
The deadline for submitting nominations is August 29, 2025.
Meanwhile, Tanghal is optimistic that the region will be able to produce national awardees this year, just as it has in previous years.
He called on volunteers to get nominated not only to attain the award but, most importantly, to promote the essence of “Bayanihan” which fosters unity, trust, and support.
“Isubmit po ninyo ang inyong mga accomplishments and achievements as outstanding volunteers upang marecognize ang inyong ginawa na kapaki-pakinabang sa ating mamamayan at sambayanang Pilipinas,” Tanghal encouraged volunteers.
(Please submit your accomplishments and achievements as outstanding volunteers so that your valuable contributions to our people and the Filipino nation may be recognized.) (SJDM, PIA Region 12)