1. Background/Rationale

    Republic Act 9418, or the Volunteer Act of 2007 mandates the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) to promote volunteer programs and services in the country to maximize the benefits that may be derived from volunteer assistance and adequately gauge the contributions of volunteers to national development and international cooperation. As such, PNVSCA has been working and initiating several activities to inspire and encourage individuals and all sectors of society to make “volunteerism a way of life of every Filipino”.

    Understanding that the media remains essential in promoting good governance and ensuring sustainable development and nation-building; and believing that the media can be a strong ally in promoting volunteerism further, the Bayanihan Media Awards (BMA) was developed in 2023 through the initiatives of the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), and Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) who form part of the BMA-National Screening Committee (NSC). With the media’s primary role to inform, educate and entertain, the BMA-NSC believes that it can influence individual beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, thus contributing significantly to values formation.

    This year, 2024, several changes were initiated after a series of evaluation and consultation sessions. New partners also joined as members of the BMA-NSC which now include the following agencies and organizations:

    • Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
    • Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA)
    • Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC)
    • Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
    • Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI)

    DPWH was invited to join the BMA-NSC given their sub-national scope and wide communication arm that addresses mobility concerns in the implementation of the provincial and regional screening. Meanwhile, AFI was invited to join the BMA-NSC considering its wide network and expertise in public relations.

    BMA is running in its second year this 2024. Nominations are open to all interested entities. Please refer to Mechanics and Criteria (section 4) for further details.

  2. Objective of the Award

    The award seeks to identify and recognize media practitioners and organizations embodying responsible and ethical media practices for their outstanding role and contribution in promoting volunteerism and its importance to national development through their work, thus encouraging the public to take an active role in volunteering and make volunteerism a way of life. In addition, BMA celebrates diversity and inclusion and fosters public awareness and understanding of pressing social issues through volunteerism media content.

  3. Implemenation Mechanism

    1. Key Actors

      The Awards Program is a partnership initiative of the PNVSCA, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI).

      The key actors shall perform the following roles:

      1. National Screening Committee (NSC)

        a.1 PIA

        • Serve as the Chair of the NSC;
        • Assist PNVSCA in coordinating with the RSC, when needed;
        • Review shortlisted entries prior to the deliberation using the criteria indicated in the Guidelines;
        • Lead the deliberation to identify the National Awardees;
        • Serve as a member of the Board of Judges;
        • Share posts on the announcement of winners, if needed;
        • Provide assistance in the preparation for and conduct of the Awarding Ceremony, which may include among others, designating emcees and technical staff to cover and livestream the event, requesting PIA regional offices to livestream the event, development of promotional materials, promoting the event, stage set-up, etc.;
        • Participate in the awarding ceremony; and
        • May provide simple tokens to the national winners, depending on budget availability.
        a.2 PNVSCA
        • Serve as the Vice-Chair and Secretariat of the NSC;
        • Lead the development of the guidelines and other documents (e.g. nomination forms) for the Awards;
        • Coordinate with the designated Regional Screening Committee (through the NROs/MMDA/BIO) on any concerns related to the Awards Program;
        • Coordinate with PIA for the development of promotional materials;
        • Lead the announcement and promotion of the Awards (website, social media pages, events, etc.);
        • Review the nominations received – regional winners or national nominees (including background check care of NICA when needed) to confirm that they meet the qualifications and that all required documents are submitted;
        • Submit shortlisted entries to the NSC;
        • Convene the NSC or Board of Judges for the deliberation;
        • Provide technical assistance during the deliberation (as Secretariat);
        • Prepare the deliberation report;
        • Lead the announcement of the National Awardees;
        • Lead the preparation for and conduct of the Awarding Ceremony (may be conducted together with the Search for Outstanding Volunteers [SOV] Awarding Ceremony);
        • Provide plaques or trophies to the national awardees, and simple tokens depending on the availability of funds; and
        • Provide certificates to the regional awardees.
        a.3 PASUC
        • Review the guidelines;
        • Coordinate and invite SUC representatives from different provinces to nominate;
        • Promote the Awards Program (website, social media pages, memo, events, etc.);
        • Review shortlisted entries before the deliberation using the criteria indicated in the Guidelines;
        • Serve as a member of the Board of Judges;
        • Share posts on the announcement of winners, if needed;
        • Provide assistance in the preparation for and conduct of the Awarding Ceremony, which may include among others, sending of performers, promotion of the event, etc.;
        • Participate in the awarding ceremony; and
        • May provide simple tokens to winners, depending on budget availability.
        a.4 DPWH
        • Assist in the implementation of the provincial, regional, and national screening including but not limited to the provision of transportation, venue for the screening, and workforce for shortlisting, if needed;
        • Serve as a member of the Board of Judges;
        • Share posts on the announcement of winners, if needed;
        • Assist in the preparation for and the conduct of the Awarding Ceremony, which may include among others, transportation of guests and awardees, mobility of equipment and materials, promotion of the event, etc.; and
        • Participate in the awarding ceremony.
        a.5 Ayala Foundation Inc.
        • Serve as a member of the Board of Judges;
        • Assist in the promotion of the Awards Program (website, social media pages, events, etc.);
        • Share posts on the announcement of winners, if needed;
        • Assist in the preparation for and conduct of the Awarding Ceremony, which may include among others, transportation and accommodation of awardees, promotion of the event, etc.;
        • May provide simple tokens to winners, depending on budget availability, or coordinate with possible sponsors who can provide the tokens;
        • Participate in the awarding ceremony.

      2. Regional Screening Committee

        The Regional Development Committee – Development Communication (RDC-DevCom) shall serve as the RSC and shall perform the following:

        • Adopt the criteria for selecting the national winner/s in identifying the regional winners;
        • Promote the Awards Program (website, social media pages, events, etc.);
        • Facilitate the deliberation and identification of Regional Winner/s using the criteria for selecting the national winners (please refer to IV. 3);
        • Endorse the regional winners to PNVSCA as the Secretariat of the NSC; and
        • Facilitate the Regional Awarding Ceremony, if necessary.

        If there is no DevCom Sub-Committee in the RDC, the RDC has the option to designate the Committee/Sub-Committee or create an adhoc technical working group (TWG) that will serve as the RSC.

        As the Chair or member of the Regional Screening Committee, the PIA Regional Office shall lead in:

        • The deliberation and identification of Regional Winner/s;
        • Promoting the Awards Program (website, social media pages, events, etc.);
        • Submission of the list of provincial nominees to the RSC, together with the supporting documents and validation report; and
        • Securing the endorsement of the RSC/body assigned for the Media Awards and forwarding the endorsement to the NSC.

        *In the case of BARMM wherein the Bangsamoro Information Office (BOI) does not have provincial offices, the BIO may directly accept nominations from interested HEIs or from the public.

      3. Provincial Screening Committee (PSC)

        The PSC shall be composed of the PIA Provincial Office and designated HEI/s in the province; either the PIA or the HEI may serve as the Chair of the PSC. As PSC, it shall be responsible for submitting the shortlisted provincial nominees to the RSC.

        As a member of the PSC, the PIA Provincial Office shall perform the following functions:

        • Review and confirm/validate the legitimacy of nominated media organizations, and submit its validation report to the PSC;
        • Assist the PSC in accepting nominations from the concerned SUC and endorse the same to the RSC through the PIA Regional Office (both the PIA Provincial Office and the HEI designated as the PSC Chair may directly accept nominations from the participating HEIs or from the public);
        • Provide technical assistance to the SUC, if requested; and
        • Assist the RSC in validating information regarding the nominees, whenever necessary.

        *In the case of BARMM wherein the Bangsamoro Information Office (BOI) does not have provincial offices, nominations may be submitted to the designated HEI or directly to the BIO.

        DPWH Provincial Office shall provide assistance including but not limited to transportation, venue for screening, and workforce for shortlisting, if needed.

        SUCs and HEIs who are part of the PSC may opt to host the screening process and provide meals and snacks for the committee depending on budget availability.

    2. Frequency and Implementation

      Beginning in 2023, the BMA has become an annual program. This year, the BMA will cover media works published or released from September 2023 to June 2024, with the awards to be launched in Aust 2024.

  4. Mechanics and Criteria

    1. Type and Categories of the Award

      Category Sub-Category Coverage
      Best Volunteerism Reporting in Print Media Individual A media practitioner with news, feature, or editorial type of articles highlighting volunteerism and its contribution to national development published in print media
      Print Organization An organization that releases/publishes quality articles on volunteerism and its contribution to national development in print media
      Best Volunteerism Reporting in Television Individual A media practitioner who features a segment/report on volunteerism and its contribution to national development in its TV program
      TV Program A segment or documentary program broadcast in TV that discusses volunteerism and its contribution to national development
      Best Volunteerism Reporting in Radio* Individual Radio Program
      Radio Program A segment or documentary program broadcast in radio that discusses volunteerism and its contribution to national development
      Best Volunteerism Reporting in Online Media** Individual A media practitioner with news, feature, or editorial type of articles, or a segment/report on volunteerism and its contribution to national development published in online media
      Online Media Organization/ Agency An organization which releases/publishes quality articles and/or programs on volunteerism (highlighting its contribution to national development) published in online media

      *Traditional radio programs that are simultaneously aired in social media, e.g. Facebook, YouTube, and in Television (TeleRadyo) shall qualify in the Best Volunteerism Reporting in Radio.
      **Reporting in online media refers to a modern approach where institutions or organizations deliver, share, or distribute their newsworthy items via the internet. Print, radio, TV programs whose same content/materials are also featured in online platforms shall only qualify in their respective traditional categories; e.g. a print agency which releases the same content through online media will only qualify for the Print category.

    2. Eligibility Requirements

      • The individual award categories are open to all national and local media practitioners affiliated with any registered Philippine private news/media/digital media organization.
      • The print organization award category is open to any registered Philippine newspaper or magazine with local or national circulation.
      • The TV/Radio Program award categories are open to any TV/radio program aired in the country, locally or nationally, by a registered TV/radio media organization.
      • The online media organization award category is open to any registered digital media organization which publishes content in the Philippines/for the Filipino people.
      • A nominee may qualify in different categories, e.g. an individual or media organization can be nominated in both print and online media categories as long as they feature different set of content/materials in both channels.
      • Entries submitted to other award-giving bodies may be accepted as long as they meet the requirements of the BMA.
      • The Award promotes inclusivity and equality and welcomes nominations of/from individuals regardless of sex, age, religion, race, class, ability, sexual orientation or gender identity.
      • The award does not cover media practitioners and organizations doing charity and volunteering work as this is part of the Search for Outstanding Volunteers (SOV).
    3. Criteria

      The winners of the Bayanihan Media Awards will be chosen by the Board of Judges, composed of experts from the government, academe, and the private sector who are media-oriented and actively promote volunteerism themselves.

      The Board of Judges will use the following criteria as the basis:

      Criteria Definition Percentage
      Individuals Program/ Media Org
      Quality How the content highlights the importance of volunteerism to national development and its impact on the beneficiaries, communities, and the volunteers themselves;
      Data and information presented should be based on reliable sources;
      Clarity, brevity, and professionalism are exemplified in presenting data and information
      40% 40%
      Effectiveness and Impact Content must be user-friendly, easily understood by the public, and encourages/motivates the public to engage in volunteer work 30% 30%
      Innovation Uniqueness and originality in terms of presenting/discussing volunteerism/volunteering 15% 10%
      Sustainability Mechanisms are in place to ensure the continuity of the program/organization 10%
      Frequency Number of articles/reports/programs released/published through a verifiable medium 15% 10%
      Reach Number of shares/views of the articles/reports/programs released/published
      TOTAL 100% 100%

      Entries should get an average of 70% to be shortlisted for the Award. Entries with incomplete requirements will not be considered.

    4. Nomination

      To ensure a deep search/grass root participation, the following process shall be observed:

      1. For SUCs and HEIs

        • Participating SUCs and HEIs in the provinces shall submit its nominations to the Provincial Screening Committee (PSC) – it may identify and submit the best nominee per category or rank the nominees and identify and submit the top nominees.

          *In the case of BARRM wherein the Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO) does not have provincial offices, all nominations shall be submitted directly by the nominating HEI to the BIO as part of the Regional Screening Committee (RSC).

        • The SUCs and HEIs may draw up their own implementing mechanism and eligibility criteria in identifying a nominee or adopt the criteria for selecting the national winners.
        • SUCs and HEIs shall inform the nominee of its nomination and request the supporting documents (please refer to IV. 5).

          (Note: The SUC/HEI may task the Communication Department/College, Language Department, Public Information Office, NSTP, or any unit group it deems appropriate to spearhead the activity.)

      2. For PIA Provincial Office

        • The PIA Provincial Office will check/validate the legitimacy of nominated media practitioners (individuals and organizations) and submit the validation report to the PSC who shall coordinate with the nominating SUC/HEI.
        • Provide technical assistance to the SUC and HEIs, if requested.
        • Accept all nominations.
      3. For Media Practitioners and Other Interested Entities

        • Present supporting documents (please refer to IV. 5) to the SUCs and HEIs in the province.
        • If SUCs and HEIs are unaware of BMA, interested parties may directly submit their nominations to the PIA Provincial Office. In the case of BARMM, nominations may be submitted directly to the BIO.
      4. Note: Nomination is open to all. Previous BMA Awardees can be nominated again

    5. Submission of Entries

      All entries must be properly labeled with the title of the article/feature/segment/program, the writer/reporter’s name, the media organization’s name, and the date of publication/release. The following documents shall be submitted as part of the nomination process:

      • Accomplished nomination form (downloadable from the PNVSCA website);
      • Proof of legitimacy (e.g. registration or certification documents, etc.)
      • Copies of the published articles, radio/TV programs, online content (the published work/s may be in the local language/dialect, but English translation must be furnished as well);
      • Evidence that shows their reach, such as the number of online shares/views and/or Google/Facebook analytics.
    6. Awards/Incentives

      National winners will each receive a trophy/plaque and a simple token, while regional awardees and national nominees and finalists will be given a certificate of recognition cosigned by the members of the NSC.

      Should there be donors, the RSC may opt to provide simple tokens to the regional awardees.

      SUCs and HEIs that are part of the PSC may choose to offer their own products or other in-kind items as additional tokens for regional winners.

  5. Timeline

    Activity Target Date
    Bayanihan Media Awards Launch August 9, 2024
    Promotion August 9, 2024 – September 20, 2024
    Deadline for Submission of Nominations to PIA Provincial Office September 20, 2024
    Validation and Deliberation Sept 23 – Oct 4, 2024
    Deadline for Submission of Shortlisted Entries to the RSC October 11, 2024
    Deadline for Submission of Regional Awardees to the NSC November 8, 2024
    Background check c/o NICA, if needed November 11-15, 2024
    Deliberation for the National Awardees November 18-22, 2024
    Announcement of Awardees November 28, 2024
    Awarding Ceremony December 12, 2024

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