14 December 2010 - Mr. Simha Salpeter and the Federation of Filipino Communities in Israel (FCCI) received the 2010 Kaanib ng Bayan Award and the Banaag Presidential Award for Organization respectively, from President Benigno S Aquino III during a simple and solemn ceremony at Malacanang Palace on 14 December 2010.

Mr. Simha Salpeter received the award “for his continuing paternalistic concern for the Overseas Filipino Community in Israel, and extraordinary sense of altruism, which has opened opportunities that foster good working relationship.” On the other hand,the FCCI was cited for “successful collective efforts of Overseas Filipino Workers in promoting the interests and welfare of their kababayan in Israel and in the Philippines; for its commendable initiative.”

The Presidential Awards is a biennial event held in recognition of outstanding individuals and organizations from all over the world.  This year, seven Filipino organizations including the FFCI, 13 Filipino individuals, three foreigners including Mr. Simha Salpeter, and one foreign group were selected from among the 110 nominees from 23 countries submitted to the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.

President Aquino recognized the awardees as “testaments to the enduring spirit of Bayanihan,” andthanked them for their “compassion, diligence and hard work for Filipinos both here and abroad.” The FFCI was specifically acknowledged by the President during his speech as a loyal partner of the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv in responding to calls for assistance for distressed Filipinos.

Former FFCI President Ms. Justina Sales was also a recipient of the Banaag Award for individual achievement in 2006.

The nominations for the next awardees of the 2012 Presidential Awards is set for December 2011 through the Commission of Filipinos Overseas.