DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Dec. 7 (PIA) -- The Provincial Commission on Women (PCW) has set the awarding ceremony for the Provincial Search for the Babayeng Garbo sa Katilingban on Dec. 12.

Now on its 4th year, this annual search aims to recognize female residents in the province based on the positive impact of their volunteer work to the community.

Nominees of the search are endorsed by their respective local government units (LGUs).

Three winners will be named during the awarding ceremony.

“Ang premyo ana gikan sa PCW ug sa Provincial Government. Naa tay first, second, and third. (Naay) P25,000 for the first place, P20,000 for the second place, and P15,000 for the third place (The PCW and Provincial Government will provide cash prizes for the first, second, and third place winners. The first place winner will receive P25,000, second place winner will receive P20,000, and third place winner will get P15,000),” said Provincial Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Person Josefina Columna.

Columna is part of the selection committee of the Babayeng Garbo search.

Past Babayeng Garbo awardees include Arlene Besario of Canlaon City, Evimei Acas-Reyes of Tayasan, and Archimedes Diputado of Dauin. 

The awarding ceremony will be the highlight of the Women’s Summit organized by the PCW and the Provincial GAD Resource and Coordinating Center in line with the province’s celebration of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW).

The awardee will also be given an opportunity to deliver the keynote message for the kick-off ceremony of the National Women’s Month celebration.

In a related development, Columna announced that the PCW has suspended the search for the Babayeng Garbo sa Katilingban this year.

Over the past years, the PCW and the Provincial Government held the Provincial Search for the Babayeng Garbo and Grupong Garbo sa Katilingban simultaneously in December.

The Grupong Garbo is a recognition given to women’s associations for their efforts in helping women uplift their socio-economic status and overall well-being.

“Ato sa gisuspender this year tungod kay ang atong winners last year wala nakakubra sa ilang prize kay naay bag-ong requirement na gihatag ang national (govermment) which is kinahanglan ang grupo SEC-registered (We suspended the search for this year because last year’s winner was not able to claim their prize due to a new requirement set by the national government which requires them to be registered with SEC),” Columna said.

However, she clarified that there is a budget intended for this but it was not released as the winning group lacked a certificate from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Columna said the provincial government is looking for ways to address this and to make the process easier for winning groups to claim their prizes.  (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)