Written by: Tricia Marie B. Ayala

In a meeting held last 21 March 2022, STI College-GenSan School Administrator Roda B. Cabuga shared how the college is inculcating to their students the value of becoming competent and responsible members of society. Ms. Cabuga mentioned that they actively promote volunteerism to their faculty members, students, and staff by encouraging them to participate in various annual volunteering activities being organized by the school. She also emphasized that they impart “real-life education” to their students through the four (4) C’s such as being a good communicator, being a critical thinker, adapting to change, and having a good character.

STI-GenSan Administrator Roda Cabuga on a one-on-one meeting with PNVSCA Executive Director Donald James Gawe

Ms. Cabuga also shared the various volunteerism initiatives of the institution beyond the National Service Training Program as well as their assistance to the LGU on barangay profiling for the USAID Assisted Project, “Opportunity 2.0.” She informed the PNVSCA team that STI College-GenSan recognizes the contributions of its alumni and students to community development through its Distinguished Alumni and Leadership Awards. The Institution encourages and supports the efforts of its faculty members to take part in volunteering in the community. In fact, the Administrator nominated Mr. Jimboy Baldesco for the PNVSCA’s Search for Outstanding Covid-19 Volunteers (SOCV) in 2020. Mr. Baldesco was conferred the National Award together with 16 other volunteers from all the regions.

Mr. Baldesco led different programs established by their head, Mr. Carlo Magno Dimalanta, such as operating a Community Kitchen and donating goods to senior citizens and to low-income families during the lockdown implemented by the Local Government Unit (LGU) due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

STI Gen San expressed its commitment to continue supporting volunteering initiatives in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region and willingness to assist PNVSCA in promoting volunteerism as a development strategy and as a way of life. PNVSCA Executive Director Donald James Gawe commended the support, either direct or indirect, being provided by the college to its faculty and staff, alumni, and students. He expressed appreciation to STI’s community development efforts.

To cap the meeting, the STI and PNVSCA agreed to enter into partnership towards building STI GenSan as an exemplar of effective volunteer engagement and volunteerism mainstreaming in the academe.

PNVSCA Executive Director Donald James Gawe, SOCV 2020 Awardee Jimboy Baldesco, and STI College GenSan School Administrator Roda Cabuga (bottom left to right) pose for a photo together with PNVSCA staff Ms. Arianne Maghanoy, Ms. Tricia Ayala, and Mr. Raymart Maruquez (top left to right)

The author is currently the Volunteer Service Officer II of the Program Coordination, Monitoring & 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.