CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --- The Commission on Population and Development Region (CPD) III recently recognized the outstanding efforts and accomplishments of Barangay Population Volunteers and Workers of Central Luzon in advancing the Philippine Population and Development Program (PPDP) through the Rafael Salas Kaunlarang Pantao Award (RMSKPA) “Bayani ng Komunidad 2023”.
CPD III Regional Director Lourdes P. Nacionales said this year’s Rafael Salas Kaunlarang Pantao Award (RMSKPA) centers on the efforts of Barangay Population Volunteers and Workers.
This is in recognition of their excellent service and leadership for the improvement of the quality of life of individuals and families in their respective communities.
”It focuses on the initiatives and strategies employed by the community volunteers within the onset of COVID-19 pandemic up to the present '' Nacionales added.
The regional assessment team conducted an on-site validation of the achievements of the nominated barangay population volunteers and workers in their implementation of programs and activities on Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning, Adolescent Health and Development and POPDEV Integration.
Regional winners were rewarded for their efforts in localizing the PPDP Program in their areas and will be the representative of the region to the National Search for the RMSKPA.
They also received plaques of recognition and cash prizes worth P12,000, P8,000 and P6,000 for first, second and third places respectively.
Winners for the Municipal category included 1st Placet, Revilla Angelo of Barangay Omaya, San Narciso Zambales; 2nd Placet, Mary Ann H. EdnalantBarangay Uacon of Candelaria Zambales; and 3rd Placet, Ernesto B. Sotto of Barangay Mangan-Vaca in Subic Zambales
Winners for the City category included 1st Placet Marilyn B. Domingo of Barangay San Pablo, Malolos City; 2nd PlacetPerpetua C. Manaois Barangay Porais of San Jose City; and 3rd Placet Lilibeth C. Macaspac of Barangay Virgen delos Remedios in Angeles City.
Nacionales lauded the leaders of the local government units.
She said that it is convenient for them to sideline the PPDP programs during the pandemic.
Nacionales added that Central Luzon LGUs are firm about the importance of the population program positively affecting the quality of lives of their people and communities.
She also reminded the awardees that their success needs to be sustained.
Nacionales added that there are more couples needed to be reached, a lot of mothers and children to be cared for, countless adolescents protected from early and unintended pregnancies, and so many families need to be covered by decent living.
The Awarding Ceremony was held in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga on Sept. 27, 2023.
The original Rafael Salas Award was rebranded and localized as The Kaunlarang Pantao Awards in 2019 to capture the Filipino spirit of excellence and public service, while placing individuals at the center of development.