Written by: Dana Lim and Raymart Maruquez
Executive Director Donald James Gawe and Mr. Raymart Maruquez, Sr. Volunteer Officer of the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) met with Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, Officer-in-Charge (OIC) – Executive Director of the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) on October 9, 2023. Both parties engaged in a meaningful discussion regarding possible collaboration to strengthen volunteer mechanisms to support the fiber industry.
Among the items discussed were the opportunities for volunteers and volunteer organizations to strengthen the sericulture program of the PhilFIDA. Possible volunteering opportunities are to assist the communities in mulberry cultivation including the communities in far-flung areas and in organizing the communities.
Opportunities for youth volunteering were also presented by means of collaborating with students from State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) through the National Service Training Program (NSTP) in supporting farmers to enhance their farming knowledge.
The possibility of organizing an investment forum for the natural fiber industry and creating mechanisms to strengthen each of the components of the fiber industry value chain through volunteering was also discussed.
To further strengthen these efforts, PNVSCA committed to assisting PhilFIDA in shaping its volunteer program. Asec. Guevarra suggested that the two agencies enter a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize the partnership of the two agencies.
PNVSCA was invited to participate in the 2023 Fibercrops Summit held on November 14, 2023, at the DA-BSWM Convention Hall, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City to deepen its understanding of the industry and as a show of support to its partner, Ms. Thelma Watanabe of the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA). OISCA and PNVSCA are implementing volunteering-related initiatives.
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