Jagna NGO BoholDev wins Panibagong Paraan's project grant competition

A non-government organization (NGO) based in Jagna, the Bohol Initiatives on Migration and Community Development (BoholDev) was declared winner during the Project Grant Competition of the Panibagong Paraan 2006 held at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City on May 27. BoholDev Executive Director Nimfa Abaya-Lloren together with its Product Development Officer Anna Ria Baja, being delegates to the exhibit received the plaque in behalf of BoholDev.

The Philippine Development Innovation Marketplace, dubbed as Panibagong Paraan (New Ways) is about fresh perspectives, new ways of doing things, and people working as one for positive change. The competition carried the theme Development with Equity the rationale of which is to address issues on incomes, assets, services and voice through leveling the playfield, where all members of society have similar chances to become socially active, politically influential and economically active.

Aside from increasing opportunities for the poor and marginalized, a level playing field contributes to sustainable growth and development of the country and on individuals, regardless of circumstances of birth, gender, reed and class. Likewise it seeks equal opportunities to pursue a life of their choosing and to be spared from extreme deprivation.

The Panibagong Paraan 2006 invited organizations and individuals to address the said theme through two competitions: the Project Grant Competition and the Expression of Ideas Competition. The BoholDev submitted an entry to the Project Grant Competition the title of which is Expanding the Benefits of Migration: Developing the Bohol Ubi Industry. Out of nearly 1,000 entries which were received from across the country, 87 finalists had been selected by a multisectoral TWG and exhibited their concepts to the jurors and the public.

BoholDev was among the 87 finalists together with the University of Bohol Medical Rehabilitation Center (with Project Title: Resource Center for the Differently-abled Persons) and the Project Seahorse Foundation for Marine Conservation (with Project Title: Reap What You Sow: Model Building on Ensuring the Benefits of Marine Protected Areas Accrue to Marine Stewards).

As the jury of eminent individuals trimmed down to 59 winners selected by a jury of eminent individuals in various fields, BoholDev was among them which will be awarded around Php 1M for the project implementation through its funding partner, the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF). To recall, BoholDev is the former Bohol Project Area of Unlad-Kabayan established on Aug. 8 with SEC registration dated Oct. 5. Its Board of Trustees include Bernadette Forones, Noel Simbajon, Rosemarie Palma, Michael Canares, Zenaida Darunday and Vicente Loquellano.

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