2023 Rafael M. Salas Kaunlarang Pantao Award: CPD honors top barangay population volunteers, workers for advancing natl govt’s POPDEV agenda

The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) recently bestowed due recognition to outstanding community-based population professionals for their exemplary work in advancing the country’s population and development (POPDEV) programs. CPD accorded the country’s deserving barangay population volunteers and workers (BPV/Ws) their moments on stage and under the spotlight through the Rafael M. Salas Kaunlarang Pantao Award (RMSKPA) ceremonies held on November 23, 2023 at The Heritage Hotel-Manila. It served as the highlight of the country’s observance of POPDEV Week from November 23 to 29. After a rigorous series of screenings, 11 BPV/Ws nominees stamped their class in applying CPD’s three-pronged strategies for empowered families and communities from 2020 to 2022: responsible parenthood and family planning (RPFP), adolescent health and development (AHD); as well as POPDEV. They were ranked based on the following criteria: performance, 40%; impact of performance and achievement, 20%; demonstrated commitment and dedication, 20% and integrity and professionalism, 20%. From the 11, six emerged as top awardees who have further excelled in their line of work. Those for the City category are: Marilyn B. Domingo of Brgy. San Pablo, Malolos City, Bulacan (first place); Marilou D. Nale of Brgy. Irawan, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (second place); and Melissa S. Rafols of Brgy. 106, Tacloban City (third place). Their counterparts for the Municipality level are: Ester M. Ante of Brgy. Poblacion, Tupi, So. Cotabato (first place); Arlyn B. Bocala of Brgy. Tacas, Pontevedra, Capiz (second place) and Lanicita A. Balili of Brgy. Baclay, Tukuran, Zamboanga Del Sur (third place). Said awardees received cash prizes (P100,000 for first place, P75,000 for second and P50,000 for third), plus a plaque. The rest of the national nominees, who ranked highest among regions, are Marites S. Garnadozo (Brgy. Naggasican, Santiago City, Isabela); Maria Victoria T. Alzaga (Brgy. Northville II, Bignay, Valenzuela City); Josephine E. Lacambra (Brgy. Bantayan, Mangaldan, Pangasinan); Christine Grace S. De Jose (Brgy. Pag-asa, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro); and Geraldine R. Magsayo (Brgy. Bocboc, Don Carlos, Bukidnon). Premiere POPDEV prize According to CPD Executive Director Lisa Grace S. Bersales, Ph.D, the RMSKPA has been the country’s foremost POPDEV award and main platform to formally distinguish BPV/Ws who went above and beyond their calls of duty in ensuring that POPDEV strategies maintain their relevance in communities and villages across the archipelago. “The RMSKPA is a validation of the high-level of performance and contributions of community population volunteers and workers in promoting and advancing POPDEV program and strategies in their localities. It is also a recognition of the innovations and effective strategies they pursued in promoting POPDEV in their respective areas,” confirmed Bersales, who is also the government’s POPDEV undersecretary. The CPD official said that the government agency endeavors to hold the RMSKPA as a means to inspire and motivate BPV/Ws, as they intensify POPDEV implementation in the grassroots of their respective localities. The award also aims to honor and memorialize the legacy of Rafael M. Salas, the first executive director of the United Nations Population Fund, or UNFPA. An advocate of the importance of understanding links between POPDEV and the need to incorporate population factors in development planning, the groundbreaking works of “Mr. Population” enabled nations to set up effective and efficient programs in managing population issues. Notable recipients of the RMSKPA in the past years include former senators Dr. Juan M. Flavier and Leticia Ramos-Shahani, National Scientist Dr. Mercedes Concepcion, as well as a veritable roster of demographers, academicians, medical practitioners, population management advocates, local chief executives and population workers, among others. This year’s National Search Committee was composed of heads and key officials of the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency, Likhaan Center for Women’s Health, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, as well as the Federation of the League of Population Officers and Workers in the Philippines. ###

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