NEDA recognizes deaf school with volunteer award

THE Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) under the auspices of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) recently recognized the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) of the De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) as the Regional Outstanding Volunteer Organization in the National Capital Region (NCR).

T he award was solely granted to the institution under the non-profit category of the Search for the Outstanding Volunteers (SOV) 2022.

The Regional Outstanding Volunteer Organization title, which was first received by Benilde SDEAS in 2019, commends the dedication of the school and its Center for Deaf Esteem and Formation (CDEAF) in its commitment to help Deaf scholars develop their faith, social responsibility, creativity and innovation through formation programs.

Motivated with the mission to promote inclusive education, it guides its learners to acquire knowledge, skills and values to achieve excellence with integrity both in their academic and personal lives.

The CDEAF is led by Director Dr. Bea Francisco, with program coordinators William I. Sidayon Jr., Michael Jose R. Autencio, Ma. Fe Andrea R. Faustino and Zernice Mae R. Cruz, along with trainers Ma. Lovella M. Catalan and Myra V. Medrana.

LONELINESS doesn’t just diminish the quality of your days—it also can diminish the quantity. Social isolation and loneliness significantly increase someone’s odds of premature death and are associated with about a 50 percent increased risk of dementia as well as higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Many people underestimate the social connections that work provides, Davis says. They also may not anticipate how much their social circles can shrink over time as people move away or die. Davis recommends making friends of different generations to counteract that trend. Hobbies and volunteering are among the ways to find prospective friendships, she says.

But it can also help to find friends or mentors among people who have retired, Shaw says.

Senior centers, social connection sites like Meetup and the AARP Foundation’s Connect2Affect service are other ways to find potential social contacts. One of Shaw’s clients connected with a group of retirees at a gym before he retired, combining his desire to stay active and healthy with an informal support group, Shaw says.

Having others around you who have experienced retirement and who can provide support and tips and share ideas is extremely valuable,” Shaw says. AP

The organization likewise encourages students to become capable and valueladen Deaf leader-advocates by promoting volunteering through various community programs that benefit both the Deaf community and the general public.

Established in 2001, this year-long pursuit headed by PNVSCA and the National Volunteer Month Steering Committee validates and honors individuals, organizations and local government units for their “exceptional performance and achievements in empowering communities and contributing to the country’s developmental goals.”

It is conducted in coordination with NEDA Regional Offices (NROs), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) through the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA).

PNVSCA, a government agency that advocates and recognizes volunteer programs and services in the Philippines, closely works with various private and public sectors in the country in linking and ensuring that the diverse volunteering efforts and resources are “aligned with national priorities and assist especially the marginalized sectors and communities.”