MIAGAO, Iloilo – The Alimodias Upland Farmers Association (AUFA) was presented the National Bayani Ka! Awards during the 3rd National Community Volunteers Congress and 5th National Bayani Ka! Awards in Almont Inland Resort, Butuan City on August 13, 2019.

The Bayani Ka! Awards are the highest recognition given by the DSWD under its Kalahi – CIDSS (Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services) program to exemplary communities and partners in implementing and promoting the community-driven development approach.

The Award has eight categories namely: gender and development, improved local governance, elderly youth, environmental protection, sustained community volunteer group, Indigenous People’s Welfare and persons with disability.

AUFA emerged victorious among nominees under Environmental Protection Category.  The Award was received by Punong Barangay and AUFA president Ramonito Sabug.

Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Isidro Mosura who nominated the Association said that AUFA best served in the Integrated Social Forestry (ISF), National Greening Program (NGP), and Forest and Climate Protection Project (ForClim II) sectors.

“AUFU has been actively engaged in DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS programs especially on environmental protection having planted more or less 10,000 seedlings and provided livelihood programs to their members.  These efforts were appreciated by DSWD as these significantly contributed to advancing their respective communities,” said Mr. Mosura.

AUFA was evaluated based on the following criteria: Bisyon – the community is committed to the community’s shared vision and guides fellow residents in bridging the present to their desired future;  Aksyon – the nominee decisively and consistently acts to promote compassionate, collective action in the community and achieve their shared goal; Yakag– the nominee has successfully persuaded the community to actively participate in compassionate collective action in and beyond DSWD Kalahi- CIDSS; Abilidad – the nominee maximizes opportunities to exercise the resident’s skills and service for the benefit of the community; Nakikiisa– the nominee actively works to sustain and promote compassionate and collective action in the community; Integridad at Inspirasyon – the nominee has unquestionable integrity that manifest in word and deed, which motivate people to continuously participate in collective action.  (ABMande)