Community volunteers, partners from the Local Government Units, and National Government Agencies were recognized earlier during Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services’ (KALAHI-CIDSS) Regional Bayani Ka! Awards, as part of the culmination of the Community-Driven Development (CDD) Stakeholders’ Forum held , today, May 8, 2024 at the Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, Butuan City.

Assistant Regional Director for Administration Tristan Telen welcomed all the participants on behalf of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga Director Mari-Flor Dollaga, who was attending an equally important activity.

The awarding proper then followed with DSWD bestowing plaques of recognition and certificates of appreciation for the inspiring community volunteers and groups, and partner LGUs for their commitment, effort, and dedication in the implementation of the program. The Field Office made sure to recognize best performing Municipal Coordinating Teams and paid tribute to LGUs who have gone the extra mile to ensure that CDD will have a lasting impact in the communities.

To cap off the ceremony, the focus was shifted to the community volunteers, who were already winners for being nominated for the Bayani Ka! Awards, which included the following categories: Gender and Development, Environment Protection, Promotion of Just Peace, Indigenous People’s Welfare, Elderly, Youth, Persons with Disability, Improved Local Governance, and Sustained Community Volunteers’ Group.

After a series of messages of response from the awardees, the ceremony came to a close with a powerful closing message from KALAHI-CIDSS Regional Program Coordinator Raffy C. Vigil. He encouraged all the participants to continue promoting CDD even with the news of the closure of the program. He underscored the importance of the gains brought about by KALAHI-CIDSS to the communities, that even with the program closing, those who have been empowered through CDD may continue to bring change to their communities.