LARENA, Siquijor, Philippines — Three winners for the 2011 Outstanding Volunteers of Central Visayas, sponsored by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), each received plaque of recognition during the Regional Development Council Meeting in this town last Monday.
The three awardees were Cydtheresa Gabor (group/organization category) and Markwil Bert Ramos (youth category), both from Cebu, and Judith Bonhayag (adult category) of Bohol.
Governors Orlando Fua Jr. of Siquijor and Edgar Chatto of Bohol, with Bohol Private Sector representative and RDC co-chairman, Argeo Melisimo and NEDA OIC-director Efren Carreon, conferred the awards.
Gabor is the founder, organizer, adviser and executive director of the Abellana National School Rescue Group; Ramos is the executive president of Gabor’s group and staff member of the National Youth Commission, while Bohayag is the secretary of the Bohol Barangay Health Workers Federation, Inc.
According to the NEDA report, Ramos started his volunteer work while still in grade school, and he intended to be a lifetime volunteer. His involvements include disaster and rescue operation for ANSRGI; scouting for the Boy Scout of the Philippines-Cebu Council; environmental and housing projects for the Habitat for Humanity-Visayas Office, the Cebu Province Social Welfare Development Office and the NYC-Visayas; and the national and local elections.
Bonhayag, who hails from Brgy. Salvador in Cortes town of Bohol, started in 1982 as volunteer for barangay health services to the communities in her town, and continues to be a barangay health worker to this day, servicing the community day and night as needed. Her efforts in family planning, immunization, prenatal services have resulted in gaining adopters and practitioners of barangay health programs in her community. She was recognized most outstanding Barangay Health Worker of Cortes in 2010 and of Bohol province last year.
The search recognizes the exemplary performance and dedication to service of individuals and institutions undertaking volunteer work.