Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday bestowed the Outstanding Negrense Award to a foundation that has raised P106 million in aid for the victims of super typhoon Yolanda in Negros Occidental and other devastated areas of the country.

The nation marks Saturday the first anniversary of the devastating typhoon that left more than 6,000 Filipinos dead.

Marañon, breaking with the tradition of giving the award to individual achievers, gave it this year to the Negrense Volunteers for Change led by Millie Kilayko at rites held at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City yesterday afternoon to mark the 116th Cinco de Noviembre anniversary.

Cinco de Noviembre is the day 116 year ago when Negrenses revolutionaries won the province’s freedom from Spanish colonizers.

In his speech at the Cinco de Noviembre morning rites, Marañon said that as we celebrate this momentous event in Negros history, we are also honouring a group of people in Negros who have volunteered and worked, not only for our province, but for the whole country.

“NVC led by its energetic president, Millie Kilayko, are but some of our heroes today who work quietly and selflessly to effect positive and powerful change in our society without expecting anything in return. To you, we give our salute and may you continue to do your mission in uplifting the lives of our needy fellowmen,” he said.

NVC was honored for its humanitarian work for the poor in Negros Occidental and other parts of the country through livelihood assistance, education and nutrition.

By carrying the Negrense name in delivering projects in the province and other parts of the country with integrity, efficiency and dedication, NVC has brought pride and honor to Negros Occidental, its citation said.

Following supertyphoon Yolanda, NVC received P106,178,539.80 in donations that was used for emergency relief, nutrition aid, livelihood assistance through bancas for fishermen and technology transfer for the production of fiberglass fishing boats, a video presentation at the awarding rites showed.

NVC has, so far, received donations for 4,222 boats and delivered 3,953 under it Peter Project 2, the video report showed.

The boats delivered to fishermen in Negros Occidental were 234, lloilo - 1,390, Antique - 31, Capiz - 129, Aklan - 15, Cebu -81, Masbate - 21, Leyte - 1,003, Samar – 995 and Biliran - 54.

Before the typhoon, NVC’s Peter Project 1 provided 40 fishermen helpers with boats.

It has also enrolled 10,183 children in its Start Right Live Bright Nutrition Program and provided 3,019,397 Mingo meals to various provinces in the country, the report showed.

It has also upgraded seven science laboratories, provided 70 school libraries with books and built 193 classrooms for public schools, the report added.

It has also provided mosaic and crochet crafts livelihood in Bacolod, Talisay and Hinigaran, and fiberglass production technology in Sagay, Negros Occidental, and in Javier Leyte, the report said,

In her acceptance speech for NVC, Kilayko said their group will continue to carry the Negrense name with pride and honor wherever they go as they continue to work to bring change in the lives of the poor.

She said they commit never to let distance drive them away from implementing any program for the poor that they need to do, to deliver programs with enthusiasm and persistence, to strive to be first at the scene wherever they are needed, to grow and bloom wherever they are planted, and draw everything they can from the bottom of their pockets and hearts, in the service of the poor.

At the awarding rites, certifications of recognition and Baganihan sang Probinsiya Medallions were received by NVC volunteers Mariel Tolentino, Alyne Batano, Jessie Lachica, Corrie Torreblanca and Cathee Daguia for the foundation’s Peter Project; Omon Maravilla, Luis Jose Araneta and Tima Lacson for its Mingo Meals Project;

Mary Ann Mirasol, Joy Jarabelo and Josephine Ruiz for NVC’s Start Right Live Bright Nutrition Program; Lina Hilado and Carmela Regalado for the foundation’s Education Development Program ; and Christine Abaquin, Marian Hojilla, Noel Tolentino, and Benger Sambo for the NVC Livelihood Program.

Board Member Miller Serondo cited NVC for its valuable contribution to uplifting the lives of Negrenses and Filipinos in other parts of the country.

Board Member Patrick Lacson, said “it is truly fitting that in appreciating the heroism of our forefathers we likewise recognize and acknowledge the efforts and work of our modern day heroes.”*CPG

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