Rural women, young artists, take center stage at the 2024 WFD

The Department of Agriculture (DA), recognized the outstanding contributions of women-farmers to the steadfast growth of Philippine agriculture during the culmination of the World Food Day celebration for the year. Last October 16, nine rural women were presented as finalists of the 2024 DA Search for Outstanding Rural Women (SORW).

An annual undertaking of the DA-Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS), SORW puts the spotlight on empowered rural women who contribute to the empowerment of the local women and community as well as the development of the Philippine agri-fishery sector. It also underscores the vital role of rural women in attaining food security, community development, and national transformation.

Following the conduct of the interview with the DA SORW Board of Judges at the Axiaa Hotel Manila, Quezon City, the national finalists were then presented at the WFD celebration as part of the commemoration of the International Day of Rural Women on October 15.

The nine SORW national finalists are: Wilma Alvester (Cordillera Administrative Region), Veberly J. Uyaan (Region I), Dauphine N. Alviar (Region II), Marcelita P. Diaz (Region III), Sonia S. Padilla (Region V), Ninfa Desiree T. Segovia (Region VI), Ana Maria R. Lao (Region IX), Edna G. Deypalubos (Region XI), and Elenita L. Limpag (Region XIII/Caraga).

The SORW awarding ceremony will take place in March 2025 as part of the National Women’s Month celebration.

Also awarded during the WFD 2024 celebration were the five young artists who vied for the 2024 WFD National On-the Spot Contest. They are Hanna Rowe M. Munasque of Trece Martires City Elementary School (Region IV-A), Nathalie I. Quimora of New Washington Elementary School (Region VI), Franchesca Faith L. Gonzaga of Baybay I Central School (Region VIII), Mariebelle Jazzlyn Li of Tetuan Central School (Region IX), and Scarlette M. Subiera of General Santos City SPED Integrated School (Region XII).

Spearheaded by the DA-Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division (AFID) with the support of the DA-Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS), the Poster-Making Contest is one of the annual celebration’s highlights that