The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), headed by Sec. Francisco P. Acosta, and the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) headed by Exec. Dir. Donald James D. Gawe formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the BaLinkBayan Project of the CFO.
BaLinkBayan is a national government e-project that aims to provide Overseas Filipinos (OFs) with credible information and access to services particularly on the following: information on starting a business, providing a platform where they can access information on government services, and to link OF with the philanthropy arm of the Commission, the Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (LINKAPIL) Project. With over 10.2 million Filipinos overseas, the BaLinkBayan Project hopes to serve as a one-stop shop for concerns of OFs in terms of integrating and reaching out to the Motherland.
Sec. Acosta delivered the opening remarks and expressed gratitude for the newly established partnership, which will open more opportunities for OFs to take part in the development of the motherland through donations and volunteer efforts.
CFO Project Management Division Head Dir. Marita Del Rosario-Apattad discussed the BaLinkBayan Project and how the combined efforts of the Commission and the PNVSCA can help local communities throughout the country via the channels of BaLinkBayan.
It was followed by the presentation of PNVSCA’s Deputy Executive Director Ela Sarmago who tackled the culture of volunteerism as a way of life among Filipinos and the current programs and initiatives of the agency in upscaling volunteering efforts in the Philippines.
Exec. Dir. Donald Gawe delivered the Closing Remarks reiterating the role of Overseas Filipinos as important partners in nation-building and national development. He expressed delight in the partnership and hopes that the additional channel to cascade the advocacy of volunteerism will further contribute to the wide network of volunteers, inside and outside of the Philippines.
Through this new partnership, the CFO and PNVSCA hopes to continue to harness the consolidated strength and willingness of overseas Filipinos to extend their services as volunteers to the underprivileged and underserved communities in the Philippines remaining faithful to its battle cry of building hope and changing lives, while proactively responding to the challenges of migration and development.
The attendees of the Ceremonial MOU Signing CFO Sec. Francisco Acosta, Exec. Dir. Donald James Gawe, DED Ela Sarmago, Dir. Marita Del Rosario-Apattad, representatives from the PNVSC and the BaLinkBayan Team
English