TACLOBAN CITY – Two barangay population volunteers were recognized by the Commission on Population Development (CPD) regional office in this year’s Rafael M. Salas Kaunlarang Pantao Award regional search.
Melissa Rapols of Barangay 106-Sto Niňo, Tacloban City was awarded the most outstanding barangay population volunteer in the city category while Carolina Lopes of Brgy. Baruguhay, Carigara, Leyte bagged the same award for the municipal category
Rafols received P30,000 while Lopes recieved PhP5,000 and will represent the region at the national search slated on November.
Lopes had been volunteering as a population volunteer for 10 years now while Rafols had been serving their village as a volunteer population worker for eight years now.
Both said that they did not expect to receive the award but are also happy to be chosen as regional representatives for the national search.
The two received their awards from CPD Regional Director Eleanora Pulma and Southern Leyte Vice Governor Rosa Emelia Mercado.
The Most Outstanding Barangay Population Volunteer or the 2023 Rafael M. Salas Kaunlarang Pantao Award acknowledges the efforts of barangay population volunteers for their exemplary performance in the delivery of information and information in their respective locality.
The two regional winners are evaluated based on the criteria: performance, 40 percent; impact of performance and achievement, 20 percent; demonstrated commitment and dedication, 20 percent; and integrity and professionalism, 20 percent.
The winners were evaluated based on their performances from 2020 to 2022.
Pulma said that they are confident that the two regional winners will bag recognition at the national level noting the region’s previous performance of receiving awards “not necessarily bagging the top award.”
“We need to give highlight on their contributions because they are the ones who are working in the ground and we also recognize their significance and importance,” she said.
Moreover, aside from Rapols, Amelia Romero and Emelita Repollo, both from Brgy. Linao, Ormoc City, won in 3rd and 2d place respectively for the 2023 Regional Search (City Category) for most outstanding barangay population volunteer.
The two received P10,000 and P20,000 cash prizes.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
