DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, June 17 (PIA) -- Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) recipient, Justina Villego, a mother from Basay town, bagged the country’s first 4Ps ReyNanay Search Central Visayas grand winner on June 16 at Southview Hotel, Dumaguete City.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 7 presented eight 4Ps mothers representing Cebu (3), Bohol (2), Negros Oriental (2), and Siquijor (1) to highlight how the program improved their lives. 

In its maiden edition of 4Ps ReyNanay - a combination of Reyna (queen) and Nanay or (mother) - the search paid tribute to empowered 4Ps mothers.

Felisa Arriesgado of Daanbantayan, Cebu clinched the first runner-up award and was named as Ambassadress for Education, while 2nd runner-up went to Jonaly Erme from Manjuyod, Negros Oriental as Ambassadress for Health.

Representing Bohol province are Jovencia Palingcod of Batuan town and Chelia Suello of Getafe.

Cebu was represented by three empowered mothers, namely: Alma Cabonada Arriesgado and Claudia Gonzales from the municipalities of Aloguinsan, Daanbantayan, and San Remigio, respectively.

Siquijor province was represented by Emelyn Enad from the town of Maria.

The DSWD’s poverty alleviation program continues to help empower women and improve their family’s living condition.

ReyNanays candidates thanked the government for how their lives improved through the interventions of the program.

To find ways to improve her family's living conditions, Villego became involved in her community serving as a Violence Against Women and Children desk officer, chapel president, and a barangay health worker.

Together with other active 4Ps parent leaders, Villego organized the Empowered Men and Women of Basay Association (EMWOBA), which aims to provide orientation on different Gender and Development (GAD) laws and to lobby for funding support in the barangay for the different GAD activities in the community.

Arriesgado from Daanbantayan raised her six children by selling local delicacies or kakanin in their community.

Justina and her husband, who works as a carpenter, are proud parents of their children who are honor students.

Arriesgado is also active in their community and participates in various associations like the Panagsama Farmers Association, which aims to help fellow farmers in organic farming.

Emer is likewise active in her community as a 4Ps parent leader, Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) participant, and Kalahi-CIDSS volunteer.

Because of her leadership skills, Emer was elected as the president of their SLP Association and actively managed their general merchandise store.

They only wish that the program will be able to serve more poor families so they will also enjoy the benefits of the program. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)