The Hope Builders Organization Negros Island Inc. (HBONI) bagged the Outstanding Volunteers Award in the Non-Profit Organization Category from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) – Western Visayas, during a ceremony at the RDC Hall in Iloilo City on December 14, 2024.

Kenneth Bacala, the founder and chief executive officer of HBONI, and Andrelyn Bello, the organization’s Director for Administration and Finance, were present to accept the prestigious award.

The recognition came just six months after the passage of the law that formed the Negros Island Region, a significant moment in the region’s history as it separated from Western Visayas. HBONI, a grassroots organization from Negros Occidental, was fortunate to play a small but meaningful role in the development and nurturing of this emerging regional identity.

Chosen as one of the top three nominees in the region, HBONI’s contributions to volunteerism stood out during a comprehensive screening process. This led to the organization being honored as the Regional Winner by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) – VI.

As a result of this recognition, HBONI also earned the prestigious title of National Nominee for the 2024 Search for Outstanding Volunteers (SOV) in the Non-Profit Organization Category.

The ceremony took place during the Regional Development Council (RDC) VI Meeting, which brought together local chief executives, heads of regional agencies, and private sector representatives.

Behind the award

The National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) led the SOV in partnership with the National Month Steering Committee (NVM-SC) chaired by NEDA, Regional Search Committees (RSCs) chaired by different regional NEDA offices, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BPDA-BARMM).

Since its inception in 2001, the SOV has honored 109 outstanding individuals and 40 organizations from the non-profit, corporate, and government sectors.

In 2020-2021, the SOV was temporarily replaced by the Search for Outstanding COVID-19 Volunteers (SOCV) to acknowledge the extraordinary contributions made by volunteers during the pandemic, recognizing 34 exemplary volunteers across the country.

PNVSCA re-launched the SOV in 2022, continuing its mission to celebrate and elevate volunteerism as an essential force for sustainable development and social progress.

The SOV serves as the centerpiece event of the National Volunteer Month (NVM), observed each December under Presidential Proclamation No. 55, s. 1998, mandated by Republic Act No. 9418, or the Volunteer Act of 2007, the PNVSCA plays an important role in promoting volunteerism as a key driver of national development.*