A Grade VIII student from Don Ynocencio A. Del Rosario National High School in Roxas City in Capiz was declared regional champion in the 2017 Regional Search for Exemplary Pantawid Children held in Iloilo City recently.
Jopay Pelayo, 14, of Brgy. Dayao, Roxas City brought home of P8, 000 cash prize and a plaque plus P 1,000 for the special award as Best in Production number.
She competed with five other regional finalists through behavior and practice, talent, appearance, intelligence and wit, community and school participation as well as academic achievements.
Other winners included Karla Czarina Sulit, 14, of Tigbauan, Iloilo who also Best in Interview and Talent, 1st runner- up; Ma. Gabrielle Angeli Nadate, 14 of Malinao, Aklan, 2nd runner- up; Chynna Pajares, 13 of San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, 3rd runner-up; Ma. Lyn Mae Balidiong, 13 of Sibunag, Guimaras, 4th runner-up; and French Marie Cayot, 12 of Bacolod City, 5th runner-up. Each received a corresponding cash prize and plaque.
The regional winner will compete in the national level during the National Children’s Congress in Manila in November this year.
Asst. Regional Director for Administration Evangeline Felicio, said the search was developed to recognize children-beneficiaries who set excellent examples at home, in school, and in the community where they belong.
“It is expected that this recognition will encourage children to be responsible not only in complying with the conditions and the ideals of the program but more so in becoming outstanding citizens by being responsible at home, school and their communities”, she said.
Felicio added that Pantawid Pamilya aims that children be capacitated to contribute to nation-building in the long run and be active citizens of the country. Compliance of children to the conditions of the programs helps ensure that the long-term goals of the program will be attained.
The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is a human development and rights-based program of the national government that invests in the health and education of children belonging to poor households.
On its seventh year of implementation, Pantawid Pamilya expanded its coverage to children up to 18 years of age in order to further pursue the rights of the children and enable the program to contribute to ending the intergenerational cycle of poverty.
As the program expands to support more children in education and health, Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo campaign was developed. It is a campaign for the support of key stakeholders on the convergence of program and services as contribution to the positive changes and development in the lives of the poor and the vulnerable.//MGC