NorMin woman farmer-leader inspires as DA SORW ‘23 National Winner
“I am just a cancer survivor po. Naging VAWC victim din po ako. Pero salamat sa Panginoon dahil lagi Niyang itinatayo ang bandera ko ng pagkababae—na dapat ipaglaban ko ito para sa sarili ko, para sa mga anak ko, para sa komunidad, at sa buong mundo lalo na sa mga kababaihan. Kasi kung wala pong lalaban para sa ating mga sarili, sino pa ang tatayo po para sa atin?”
Mylin V. Tayapad conveyed a mix of joy, disbelief, and gratitude in her acceptance speech as she bagged the National Winner award of the Department of Agriculture (DA)’s Search for Outstanding Rural Women (SORW) 2023.
The 43-year-old mother of six hails from Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental, where she cultivates a two-hectare land using organic and eco-friendly farming practices. She is also a respected woman farmer-leader in her community, a steward of agriculture, health, and women’s rights as well as for bridging the gap between members of her community and the DA.
“Sana po marami pang kababaihan ang maengganyo ngayong mag-serve sa kapuwa natin. ‘Wag kayong mag-expect na may kapalit kasi ang Panginoon, nagbibigay po talaga Siya ng blessing sa tamang panahon. Maglingkod lang po tayo nang walang measure at all,” shared the SORW 2023 National Winner.
Tayapad also acknowledged the DA which, she said, paved the way for her to reach greater heights.
“Ang [DA Regional Field Office X] Director po namin na napakabait po at saka ang mga staff po ng DA. Kasi kung hindi nila ako nakita, hindi po ako makakarating dito. ‘Yong katuparan pala ng pangarap ko—na sana ma-recognize man lang po ang mga paghihirap ng women sa rural areas dahil akala ko hanggang doon lang kami na magbasok-basok ng lupa, maglampas-lampas—ngayon, nandito na ako sa malaking stage at nakakapagsalita nang ganito.”
The SORW is an annual recognition bestowed by the DA through the Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) to Filipina farmers and fisherfolk from the rural areas who have exhibited stellar performance and contribution to agricultural and community development.
This year, six other nominees also took home recognitions. They are:
- Marivic C. Dubria, Region XI (First Runner-up);
- Josephine P. Lay-os, Cordillera Administrative Region
