BONTOC, Mountain Province–In the constant quest for sustainable progress and community resiliency, a farmer woman from Mountain Province was recently awarded by the Department of Agriculture(DA) for her invaluable role as a woman in the promotion of food security and rural development.
Josephine Lay-os from barangay Bangaan, Sagada was given recognition by the DA for placing third in the National Search for Outstanding Rural Women(SORW) or the Gawad Parangal para sa Katangi-tanging Kababaihan sa Kanayunan.
Josephine’s achievement was based on her revolutionary hard work on coffee production, giving a huge support to the Sagada Arabica Coffee Growers and Processors Organization by delivering green beans when the organization was starting in 2014.
During her term as a barangay official, she also consistently supported promotion of health and safety, authoring an ordinance which prohibits farm animals and pets in certain areas to protect plants and maintain cleanliness.
Lay-os who was conferred with a Plaque of Recognition and tokens during the awarding ceremony held on December 14,2023 at the DA-Bureau of Soils and Management in Diliman, Quezon City, will also receive a cash reward of P75,000.00.
In the DA-Cordilleras post, Lay-os is grateful not only for the award but also the learnings she acquired.
“Manyamanak tan adu ay adal di naadal ko baken wat din siping. Din adal ay at least umipagaget pay en sek-a ay man-ubla. Ilaen di weaknesses ta man-improve tapnu ad adu pay di maimula”(I am grateful not just because of the cash award, but more importantly for all the leanings throughout the journey that inspired me to continue my work; to look into my weaknesses to improve and be able to contribute further to agriculture), she said.
Lay-os also encourages other rural women farmers to be supportive of the agricultural programs of the government such as attending trainings to deepen agricultural understanding and for these to be applied in their farms.
The SORW is an annual feat led by the DA’s Gender Focal Point System pursuant to the Magna Carta for Women which aims to recognize women as farmers and fisherfolk, and to give them equal opportunities to participate in programs and projects.**CVBT-PIA CAR with reports from DA CAR
