Ten Negrense women were recognized Monday, Oct. 10, for their outstanding contribution to agriculture and whose exceptional achievements made positive impacts in the community.
The awardees for Women Engaged in Agriculture and Fishery category of the Recognition for Women in Agriculture and Rural Development (REWARD) are Gemma Delos Reyes of La Castellana, champion; Maria Gina Banowski of Bago City, first runner-up; Lucita Diano of Valladolid, second runner-up; and Haydee Panhilason of Victorias City and Luisa Manayon of Calatrava, consolation prizes.
The awardees for the Woman Leader of an Agricultural Organization category are Herly Tumalaytay of Pulupandan, champion; Myrna Villa of Bago City, first runner up; Jona Altea of Moises Padilla, second runner-up; and Rosie Alit of Murcia and Leslie Bacay of Voctorias City, consolation prizes.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson lauded the women awardees, adding that women always find alternatives and new ways of ensuring food security for their families, and they also pursue multiple livelihood strategies.
He said that, in the Philippines and in most countries, women are the ones primarily responsible for nutrition and food security in the household, and they always deliver and provide regardless of the circumstances they are in.
“Most of the time, when we explore farmers’ issues, we seldom approach them from a gender point of view. But today’s awarding is proof that even though the narratives of women in agriculture and fisheries get lesser attention, the value of their work proves otherwise,” Lacson said in a Capitol press release.
The REWARD ceremony, spearheaded by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and the Gender and Development Negros Occidental, was held at the Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City Oct. 10.
Board Member Rita Gatuslao, executive assistant to the governor and action officer of the provincial GAD Focal Point System Marie June Castro, Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Edmundo Raul Causing, and other Capitol employees also joined the awarding rites. ||
