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| SOS Calbayog Board President Cong. Mel Senen Sarmiento as he received the award on behalf of SOS Calbayog. In photo are (l-r) SOS National Director Bienvenido Delgado, SOS Calbayog Village Director Emily Torculas, DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman and DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo. |
Let me give you a report on the award courtesy of Ms. Emily Torculas:
On the 11th day of January 2012, big news arrived to us. We were notified that SOS Children’s Village Calbayog was chosen as the 2012 Best Non-Government Organization Nationwide by the DSWD in the “Salamat Po” Award. Salamat po award is part of PANATA KO SA BAYAN or PAGKILALA SA NATATANGING KONTRIBUSYON SA BAYAN AWARDS, which acknowledges the effort of individuals, groups or organizations whose Panata or Vow is to share the resources and time in providing a better opportunity for the disadvantage sectors. In this regard, SOS Chilcren’s Village Calbayog was unanimously voted and garnered the highest total score of 93.67%. We are proud and thankful that the efforts and services given by the Organization and the people behind it were noticed and appreciated. This award is timely as the organization would celebrate its 40th foundation Anniversary this September 2012.
By the 26th of January 2012, the turn-over of the “Salamat Po” Award was received by our Board President Congressman Mel Senen Sarmiento along with our National Director Mr. Bienvenido Delgado and our Village Director Emily L. Torculas at the DSWD Main Office in Batasan Compound, Batasan Hills, Quezon City. Along with plaque, we too received Twenty-five Thousand Pesos (Php 25, 000.00) from DSWD. It was a momentous day for the Organization as we achieved this prestigious award. No words and amount could ever describe the gratitude we felt.
During the ceremony, Congressman Sarmiento expressed on behalf of the SOS Children’s Village Calbayog family its gratitude for the award received, “There are so many awards I have received but this one is more valuable because no amount of money being involved just the spirit of volunteerism”. He too thank by mentioning different financial supporters of SOS Children’s Village Calbayog. His message too highlights the two programme of SOS Children’s Village namely: Family Based Care and Family Strengthening Program. It was clearly stated that our Family Based Care is unique program in taking care of our children in a family setting with a professional mother and where siblings are kept together in a SOS family. On another hand, the SOS Children’s Village is now responding to the need of strengthening families in order to prevent the breaking up of families. The Congressman’s message captures SOS Children’s Village Programme Policy. Thus, the partnership and networking is also part of achieving this award particularly the support of LGU and DSWD during these passed years that contributed a lot of its quality of service and number of beneficiaries reached out by the organization.
For this day onward, let us continuously provide a loving home for every child.
