Written by: Arianne P. Jardio
On December 27, 2024, the National Volunteer Month (NVM) celebration ended with a meaningful Online Partnership Appreciation Ceremony. The event brought together hundreds of participants who joined via Zoom and Facebook Live to recognize and honor the vital partnerships that have driven the success of various volunteer-led initiatives throughout the year.
The ceremony highlighted the collaborative efforts of national and local government agencies, volunteer organizations, higher education institutions, and civil society groups. Together, they organized workshops, advocacy activities, training sessions, and conferences, all designed to empower and inspire communities across the Philippines. Snippets of the activities conducted were presented giving the online participants a glimpse of what transpired during the year.
The Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) proudly announced that it had formalized 100 partnerships, with 64 new organizations joining in 2024. These partnerships contributed to a series of impactful events throughout the year.
In addition to celebrating these collaborations, the ceremony honored the commitment of volunteers nationwide, underscoring PNVSCA’s ongoing efforts to promote volunteerism as a cornerstone of national development. The event also recognized the essential support of stakeholders and various local government units.
Conducted every December since 2021, the Online Partnership Appreciation Ceremony concluded the celebration of the National Volunteer Month and served as a reminder of the power of collective action in driving social change. It was a fitting end to a month filled with inspiring volunteer expos across the country, online webinars, and the recognition of outstanding volunteers who have made lasting impacts in their communities.
PNVSCA expressed heartfelt gratitude to all its partners, especially to the Multisectoral Advisory Body (MSAB), led by NEDA Undersecretary Carlos Bernardo O. Abad Santos, who have been an essential factor in ensuring that the agency’s actions are always based on a clear vision and goal. The contributions of the MSAB members namely, the Bureau of Immigration (BOI), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Presidential Management Staff (PMS), and the private sector representatives, Kabisig ng Kalahi, Inc., the Philippine Society of NSTP Educators and Implementers, Inc. (PSNEI), the Philippine Coalition on Volunteerism, Inc. (PhilCV), and the Iloilo Business Club, Inc., have significantly increased the agency’s influence, motivating action and helping to improve volunteering-related initiatives carried out by the agency.
PNVSCA also sincerely thanked the members of the NVM Steering Committee and SOV National Screening Committee, which include CHED, Civil Service Commission (CSC), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), DepEd, DFA, DILG, NEDA, National Youth Commission (NYC), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), UP System Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, Filipino United Nations Volunteers Association (FUNVA), IAVE Philippines, Kabisig ng Kalahi, Inc., United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and United States Peace Corps (USPC). The Committee members’ collective expertise has shaped important decisions and initiatives, which brought significant changes in the way volunteerism is promoted nationwide.
Furthermore, the Bayanihan Media Awards (BMA) National Screening Committee, composed of PIA, Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), the District Engineers League of the Philippines (DELP), and Ayala Foundation, Inc., has been instrumental in setting a high standard of excellence in using the media as a platform for advocating the importance of volunteerism as a tool for nation-building.
PNVSCA also extended special thanks to the NEDA Regional Offices, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), and PIA Regional Offices, who all extended their hands-on efforts in discovering and celebrating local volunteer champions and media practitioners who are championing volunteerism through their stories.
Finally, PNVSCA recognized the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) for their continued collaboration and support in enhancing the success of all its initiatives. NICA’s contributions are crucial in ensuring the safety and security of volunteer efforts, reinforcing the strength of collective impact.
PNVSCA extends its heartfelt gratitude to all its partners. As this year’s celebration draws to a close, the agency eagerly anticipates continuing its mission to encourage volunteerism and inspire positive change in the years to come.
