Dolores Rebatado Ceralbo of Barangay Pandanon, D.S. Benedicto, Negros Occidental (Region 6) was named the National Winner of the Search for Outstanding Rural Women during the awarding ceremony on December 8, in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.
Aside from bragging rights, Ceralbo received P120,000 in cash and an additional prize in the form of project or intervention such as production inputs, farm machinery or postharvest facility and others that are available in the DA-RFO programs.
Five other exemplary rural women who served as inspiration and models of empowerment to other women across the nation, were recognized during the event
The nominees were adjudged according to three major criteria: A) Contribution to food security/agricultural and fishery development—productivity, profitability of economic activities, and quality of products/services (30%); B) contribution to sustainable development—efforts to protect the environment, efforts to adapt to climate change/emerging conditions, and innovativeness/creativity (30%); and C) impact to rural women—promotion of women empowerment and gender equality, improvement of family life, excellence in character/ability to hurdle difficulties, and contribution to local economy (40%). ### (photos by Alan Jay Jacalan, DA-AFID)
