Malate, Manila – “Juana: Ang tatag mo ay tatag natin sa pagbangon at pagsulong.”

That is the theme of this year’s Women’s Month Celebration. In line with the celebration, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of DSWD IV-MiMaRoPa awarded beneficiaries who showcased exemplary acts of resiliency and determination to uplift their lives in the five provinces of MiMaRoPa.

The awardees were identified by the program’s Provincial Operations Offices (POO) in the five provinces. The beneficiaries were selected on the following categories: survival victims of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC), solo parents raising their children, active participation in the community and resiliency in times of tragedy. Their touching stories were forwarded to the regional office for deliberation.

“Women’s Month is being celebrated to commemorate the outstanding contribution of women in our nation’s progress. It is rightful to recognize their activities so as to make them feel their worth as well as inspire other women to excel in their own fields for the benefit of their selves, their family, and our country as a whole,” said Alexa Fajardo, Gender and Development Focal (GAD) of Pantawid Pamilya. In a patriarchal country, honoring the status of women in the society is a big part in achieving one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which is gender equality. “It is one of the reasons why we now have a GAD sector in the implementation of the program,” Fajardo added.

The following were the awardees who were given certificates of recognition: Leony Tugas and Regina Dela Cruz from Oriental Mindoro; Maymay Kusangloob and Jocelyn Manibog from Occidental Mindoro; Flora Bantang and Winnie Tansingco from Romblon; Edelor Moreno and Gemmalyn Red from Marinduque; and Alma Montebon and Phebelyn Bacnan from Palawan.

The five provinces conducted the awarding ceremony simultaneously. ###