Three regional nominees endorsed by the Regional Search Committee – Search for Outstanding Volunteers (RSC-SOV) emerged as winners in the 2024 National Search for Outstanding Volunteers (SOV), besting 50 national finalists to make it to the eight awardees from all over the country. The three national winners from Region 2 are: Ms. Maria Rodell Herrera of I-SAVED for Non-Profit Organization category; Mr. Francis D. Nitura of FDN Integrated Farm for Corporate Organization category; and Mr. Fernando Fajardo for Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Awardee (VLAA) individual category. They will be recognized by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) in the SOV awarding ceremony on December 12, 2024 in Manila.

 

The I-SAVED (Saving the Vulnerable, Education, & Their Dreams) program, also known as Sagip-Bata Para Sa Edukasyon, is a non-profit organization operating in the provinces of Cagayan and Kalinga since 2016. As a registered NGO under the UNESCO Club Philippines Local Youth Development Office, National Youth Commission, and SK Federation Council of Cagayan, the organization provides critical educational support to vulnerable communities. To sustain the initiatives despite limited resources, I-SAVED pioneered innovative fund-raising initiatives like the Theatre Play, Mine for a Cause, and other online entrepreneurship ventures.

 

FDN Integrated Farm, the Corporate Organization awardee, empowers farmers with innovative agricultural practices, palay and corn farming, mushroom cultivation, reforestation, among others. It has made a significant impact to over 275 direct trainees and 1,500 seminar participants. Their work goes beyond alleviating poverty. It is transforming communities through training and introduction of sustainable livelihoods.

 

Mr. Fernando Fajardo, Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Awardee (VLAA), is the chairperson of the Independent Chartered City Agricultural and Fishery Council of Santiago City, Isabela. Mr. Fajardo is already a recipient of multiple awards, in recognition of his work for the agriculture sector and cooperatives.

 

The three national winners, together with the SOV Cagayan Valley regional winners, will also be recognized and acknowledged during the 133rd Regular Business Meeting of the Cagayan Valley Regional Development Council (RDC2) on December 5, 2024 in Cauayan City. Mr. Tirso R. Tugagao and Mr. Dominic L. Danao are the other SOV Cagayan Valley regional winners for Individual Category for Adult and Youth, respectively.

 

The SOV aims to identify and recognize outstanding Filipino volunteers and volunteer organizations for their exemplary achievements in empowering communities and promoting volunteerism as a way of life. The National Search is spearheaded by the PNVSCA while the Regional Search is headed by the NEDA Region 2 with the regional offices of NICA, PIA, DepEd, DILG, CHED and CSC as Search Committee members.