Former environment chief Gina Lopez (middle) is flanked by Department of Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Amina Fajardo, Department of National Defense Undersecretary Cesar Yano, Faye Corquerra (The Quest for LOVE), Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Sen. Loren Legarda, and Science Secretary Fortunato de la Peña at the launch of "The Quest for LOVE." Handout
MANILA - She may no longer be a government official, but former environment chief Gina Lopez is still keen on pursuing public service.
Lopez, together with Sen. Loren Legarda and other private and government partners, recently launched “The Quest for LOVE,” a nationwide search aimed at helping underdeveloped communities.
"The key is the person. The key is the partner. If you find a partner that can do things on the ground efficiently and sincerely, then you have found a partner that is gold," she said.
Under the search, 16 organizations-- foundations, non-government organizations, cooperatives, or social enterprises-- will be shortlisted based on their track record, quality of leaders, and the potential impact of their proposed intervention on their partner communities.
The chosen 16 organizations will then participate in a 3-day boot camp where they will undergo training on area development and pitch their plans to a panel of judges.
Judges will then select the top half among the organizations, and the remaining 8 will undergo a mentoring and support program under the Investments in Loving Organizations for Village Economies (ILOVE) Foundation, which Lopez established.
The 8 foundations will each receive P100,000 in cash and direct access to government support through the ILOVE Foundation.
Three organizations, meanwhile, will be declared as winners and shall receive direct assistance from ILOVE Foundation and its private and government partners to bring their proposed projects to life.
Deadline for submission of applications is on April 20, 2018.
The complete mechanics and requirements are available here.
The competition will be aired as a special segment this July on Lopez's show "G Diaries."
"G Diaries" airs every second Sunday of the month before “ASAP” on ABS-CBN.