San Carlos City mobile teacher receives presidential award for volunteerism

SAN CARLOS CITY, Jan. 17 (PNA) -- A mobile teacher from Quezon Boulevard here was chosen as the 2007 National Awardee in the Search for Outstanding Volunteers.

Dr. Edwin Ferrer received a medal from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in a ceremony at the Edsa Shangrila in Mandaluyong City last December. Dr. Ferrer presented his medal to San Carlos City Mayor Julier Resuello on January 10, 2008 at the latter’s office.

Ferrer received a Presidential Award on Volunteerism in recognition of his outstanding work in championing the cause of the vulnerable sectors of society through his initiatives in the continued education and rehabilitation of inmates and their families.

He was also cited for his contribution to the functional literacy for adults, out-school-youth and senior citizens by providing them support to gain self-confidence, dignity, and opportunity for social integration.

At the same time, the Department of Education (DepEd) commended Ferrer, who is a mobile teacher under the Bureau of Alternative Learning Systems (BALS).

In the awards ceremony, President Arroyo stressed that “we need more teachers like Dr. Edwin Ferrer who is a 'virtually heroes', crossing mountains and rivers just to provide basic education to out-of-school youth and adults who still want to learn.”

Recognizing the productive efforts of mobile teachers, Mrs. Arroyo cited that the budget for alternative learning has been increased three times from Php 76 million in 2006 to Php 230 million in 2007.

This budget increase enabled DepEd to hire 300 more mobile teachers, who teach in community learning centers such as a barangay hall, chapel, factory, reading center, or a house.

Ferrer was chosen as the National Awardee from among 38 nominees from both public and private organizations.

He has been a mobile teacher for eight years in 86 barangays within Pangasinan, thus, raising the level of literacy in these barangays.

Mobile teachers teach in areas with high illiteracy rate, a huge population of out-of-school youth, and where education is hampered by insurgency.

At present there are 1,381 mobile teachers all over the country.

The search for outstanding volunteers is spearheaded by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency.

Presidential Proclamation No. 55 mandates the celebration of National Volunteer Month every December.

In order to bolster this Presidential Proclamation, President Arroyo also ratified Republic Act 9418, or the Volunteer Act of 2007, institutionalizing volunteerism as one of the strategies for national development. (PNA)