The Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 (DSWD) has recognized the Top 3 regional winners of the Search for Modelong Ama 2016 in a simple awarding ceremony at the DSWD regional office in Molo, Iloilo City on Tuesday. (May 16)

Regional director Rebecca Geamala awarded the plaque of recognition and cash prize of P 10, 000 to Modelong Ama regional winner Shadrach Española of Guimaras province. Española personally received the award together with his wife and daughter.

Also, received their plaques were Francisco Panganiban (2^nd placer) and Pedro Sumalpong (3^rd placer) who both received cash prizes of P 7, 000 and P 5, 000, respectively.  The two awardees are from the province of Aklan.

The search aims to recognize the important roles of men in gender equality goal.

This year’s theme dubbed “Kalalakihan, Ka-Partner sa Pagsulong sa Karapatan ng Kababaihan.”

GAD focal Katherine Fernandez said the search focuses more on men who actually champion in gender equality at their respective homes and communities.

“These men who are not constrained by their traditional roles but able to embrace gender roles beyond the traditional and gender stereotypical”, she said.

These men who actively share parental and domestic responsibilities with their wives or partners and highly involved in parental responsibilities at home

while in the community, they are actively participate in the support of the Pantawid Pamilya activities and those initiated by partners such as the LGU, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), among others that promote women’s empowerment, child protection, building better family relationships, and promoting safer communities for all.//dswd/Montesa G. Caoyonan