Saturday, November 01, 2008

DA Cites 9 Outstanding Rural Women

Women farmer sun drying palay along the national highway, Lal-lo, Cagayan. Like dancing to the tune of music, she spreads her newly harvested palay with her feet using the heat of the sun as the dryer in almost endless stretch of this commodity along the road. (PINOY GONZALES)

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has given formal recognition to nine (9) outstanding rural women this year for their achievements in "advancing the cause of the agriculture sector" that have made a significant impact on the lives of people in their respective communities.
In recent ceremonies marking World Rural Women’s Day, the DA handed out plaques of commendation and cash prizes ranging from P75,000 to P5,000 each to these nine winners of the "Search for Outstanding Rural Women of 2008."
First prize winners were Victoria Motril, a widow who is a farmer and manager of the V Motril Food Products in Tupi, South Cotabato, and Olive Gamboa, who is the vice president of First Fruits Agro-Industrial Corp. in Valencia City, Bukidnon.
The second prize winner was Bernadette de los Santos, a vegetable grower who is the president of the Federation of Organized Vegetable Growers in Camarines Sur in Baao, Camarines Sur.
Each of the first prize winners received a plaque and a cash award of P75,000 while the second prize winner received a plaque and a cash award of P50,000.
The 3rd to 6th places, respectively, were Milagros Villarta, of Ramon, Isabela; Luisa Balagot of Makilala, North Cotabato; Eleanor Laquihon of Bansalan, Davao del Sur; and Julie Arboleda, of Camalig, Albay.
Each of them was given a certificate of commendation and a cash award of P10,000.
Two others received a special citation and a cash award of P5,000 each. They were the respective 7th and 8th placers Maura Ilagan of Calauan, Laguna; and Clemencia Padre of Bantay, Ilocos Sur.
"This is to give due recognition to their outstanding achievements in advancing the cause of the agriculture sector, for their exemplary character and qualities that are worthy of emulation, and for making significant impact in their respective rural communities," according to Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.
The award ceremony was held at the convention hall of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), Quezon City.
Present during the ceremonies were Secretary Arthur C. Yap, Dr. Carmencita Africa, Vice Chair of the Gender and Development Focal System (GAD-FS).
Undersecretary Berna Romulo Puyat, chairperson of GAD-FS, said that 15 other contenders who have similarly excelled in their respective areas of specialization were also given certificates of appreciation during regional awarding ceremonies held in their respective regions prior to the Oct. 20 awarding ceremonies at the BWSM.
These 15 awardees are Evelyn Grace of Candelaria, Zambales; Jocelyn Velonza of Mabini, Pangasinan; Carmen Rivera of Guihulngan, Negros Oriental; Sarah Dabucon of Banga, Ilocos Norte; Bernadette Willie of Buguias, Benguet; Elvira Egay of Gigaguit, Surigao del Norte; Remedios Cruz of Malolos, Bulacan; Elisa Orjalisa of Lupon, Davao Oriental; Perla Malalang of Maramag, Bukidnon; Lydia Lomibao of Canaman, Camarines Sur; Wenita Espartero of Dulali, Davao del Norte; Carmelita Reyes of Sta. Cruz, Marinduque; Amelia Gresones of Aborlan, Palawan; Henrietta Hipolito of Parang, Shariff Kabunsuan; and Wilma Moncado of La Trinidad, Benguet.
Puyat said the DA, through its Gender and Development (GAD) Focal System, has been undertaking the search for outstanding women who have made outstanding accomplishment in the field of agriculture and fisheries. "This is in recognition of the valuable and vital contributions of rural women in the development of the economy and in improving the quality of life in the rural areas," she said.
She said the DA started handing out awards to rural women in 2000 with the "Katangi-tanging Kababaihan sa Kanayunan." This was followed, she said, by the "Search for Outstanding Woman Integrated Farmer," which was awarded in Bangkok, Thailand in 2003.
The "Search for Outstanding Rural Women" began in 2004 and was followed by a similar contest in 2006.
"As this activity has inspired a lot of women to continue pursuing excellence in their work, this year’s Search was opened not only to women who are directly engaged in farming and fishing, but also to women who serve as partners in developing the agriculture sector such as those in cooperatives, non-government organizations and others," Puyat said.
She pointed out that the DA’s Regional Field Units (RFU)s, through their GAD coordinators, reviewed all nominations that had been received by the Regional Executive Directors (RED), conducted table validations and field verification of the entries and came up with the validated scores and ranking of the nominees. The results served as basis for the nominated entries, she added.
After the submission of entries from the regions, Puyat said that a National Technical Committee (NTC) conducted a table evaluation of the nominees and came up with rankings.
Based on the results of table evaluation, a team composed of the NTC and a National Executive Committee (NEC) conducted ocular inspection of the nominees, she said. The team then came up with validated scores based on field visits as well as interviews of the nominees and other key informants. (DA-PRESS OFFICE) /MP

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