Written by: Alyssa Villa
The Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service (DENR – SCIS) conducted a consultation titled, “Assessing and Stocktaking Volunteerism Efforts in the Environment Sector” on January 28, 2022 via Zoom.
Joined by a total of 106 participants from the DENR & its attached agencies, LGUs, Academe, Private Organizations (Corporate & NGO), and other government agencies, the activity commenced with a discussion about the Volunteering Efforts in the Environment Sector and Sectoral Assessment and Proposed Interventions.
A workshop was conducted to assess the extent or level of engagement of volunteers in the environment sector as well as to discuss ways on how to better harness the potential of volunteerism as a strategy to achieve environment outcomes.
In his Welcome Message, PNVSCA Executive Director Donald James D. Gawe expressed his desire for the workshop to bring out good practices being done or adopted by some groups that are worth sharing and replicating. He surmised that the good practices would showcase boundless opportunities for volunteering but also pointed out that some volunteering efforts might need improvement.
He further said that, “We hope that this activity is just the beginning of collaborative undertakings with DENR in providing the conducive and enabling environment for volunteering.”
Dr. Hiro V. Masuda, Director IV of DENR – SCIS affirmed on his Keynote Message that everyone plays a vital and significant role in the upkeep of the country’s environment and natural resources. For this reason, the DENR has never ceased to express their gratitude for the participation and assistance of partner organizations, internal and externals, individuals in all of their programs, activities, and projects.
Director Masuda emphasized, “I am optimistic that after this activity, we will be able to comprehensively assess our volunteer engagement and commitment from the different sectors. Kung ano ang ginagawa natin sa ating mga sarili, sa ating kapaligiran, ay may malaking kabuluhan, at epekto sa ating mga anak, at sa mga susunod pang mga henerasyon. Kaya lagi nating tatandaan, ikaw, ako, tayo ang kalikasan.”
The session concluded with the participants ardently recited the pledge of commitment led by Director Masuda which served as their renewal of commitment – that through their help and the guidance of the Almighty Creator, they will continue to love, care, and protect Mother Nature for the present and future generations.
Executive Director Maria Matilda Gaddi of DENR Task Force Tayo ang Kalikasan, in her Closing Remarks, declared that the volunteerism evaluation and assessment conducted, will serve as the basis on how to attain maximum results in aligning collective resources in pursuing activities to instill positive changes in the attitude and behavior of the public toward a better environment.
“I am confident about this because we did our share of helping change the mindset of the public from apathy to that of being mindful as far as taking care and protecting our environment and natural resources are concerned.”
The Assessing and Stocktaking on Volunteerism: Environment Sector aims to focus on the role and contributions of volunteers in the environment sector, highlight good volunteering practices, and determine mechanisms to further strengthen the practice of volunteerism in the said sector. The forum was attended by 13 from the academe; 53 individuals, business organizations, and CSOs; 38 from national government agencies and GOCCs; and 2 LGUs.
The author is currently the Volunteer Service Officer II of the Program Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation Division, Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency.
Visit PNVSCA website (www.pnvsca.gov.ph) and PNVSCA Facebook (facebook.com/PNVSCA) for other stories and information on volunteering.