Outstanding rural women and organizations in Negros Occidental were honored during the Provincial Rural Women Summit and Awarding Ceremony Oct. 27 at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City.
The awardees include Ninfa Benitua of Don Salvador Benedicto as Outstanding Rural Woman, Eden Mae Tendri of Bago City – Outstanding Rural Woman Entrepreneur, the Bantayan Rural Women Micro Agripreneurs and Farm Product Workers based in Kabankalan City – Outstanding Rural Improvement Club, and the Yubo Women and Farm Workers Association of La Carlota City as Best Agri-Fishery Livelihood/GAD Implementer 2026.
All winners received cash prizes, kitchen showcases for added livelihood generation, and plaques of recognition.
Organized by the provincial government of Negros Occidental, through the Home Management Division of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, the summit recognized the contributions of rural women to agricultural development, food security, livelihood generation, and community development.
The event also highlighted the continuing role of rural improvement clubs (RICs) in empowering women in the countryside through skills development, livelihood opportunities, access to government services, and community participation, the Capitol said in a press release Oct. 28.
Negros Occidental has 117 active RICs in 25 local government units, as of August this year, with total membership of 6,683, comprising 6,512 women and 171 male allies.
The initiative also carries forward the legacy of Maria Y. Orosa, whose pioneering work helped empower and organize women in rural communities.
Through the annual summit and awarding ceremony, the provincial government continues to recognize rural women not only for their contributions to agriculture and household welfare but also for their leadership, entrepreneurship, and role in building stronger communities.
Also present at the awarding ceremony were Atty. Mabel Villarica-Mamba, national president of the RIC of the Philippines; Jose Albert Barrogo, regional executive director of the Department of Agriculture-Negros Island Region; Negros Occidental OIC provincial agriculturist Dina Genzola, and Provincial Gender and Development Focal Point System action officer Marie June Castro, among others. ||
