The Department of Agriculture (DA) bestowed the 2024-2025 National Winner of the DA Search for Outstanding Rural Women (SORW) to organic and climate-resilient agriculture practitioner Sonia Padilla of San Miguel, Catanduanes during the culmination of this year’s National Women’s Month celebration (NWMC).
In her acceptance speech, Bicol Region’s flagbearer Padilla likened herself to the island province of Catanduanes: one that constantly faces and rises above harsh conditions.
“I am a strong woman with strong faith in God. Para sa akin, hindi ako bibigyan ng pagsubok na hindi ko kayang lagpasan. Tulad ng paulit-ulit na pagbangon ng Catanduanes sa tuwing dadaanan ito ng bagyo, gano’n din ako sa mga hamon at pagsubok ng aking buhay. Hindi pwedeng tumigil at hindi pwedeng magpatalo sa mga unos at bagyo, kahit pa sa mga mapinsalang bagyong Rolly, Ulysses, at Pepito. Ang mga pangalan ng mga bagyong ito ay pawang mga lalaki; ngunit bilang babae, taglay ko ang lakas at katatagan upang mapatunayan na kaya ko silang lampasang lahat. Kaya nating magtagumpay sa lahat na hamon ng buhay,” she recalled.
Committing to be an instrument of agricultural development in the Philippines, the newly hailed SORW National Winner expressed her desire to also be an icon of empowerment and success, most especially for fellow Filipinas in vulnerable and underprivileged sectors.
“Sana ay magsilbi akong inspirasyon sa mga kababaihan na huwag nilang ikahon ang kanilang mga sarili sa mga pamantayang idinidikta ng patriyarkal na lipunan.”
“Ang parangal na ito ay isang testamento na ang mga kababaihan ay kaya ring magtagumpay sa larangang karaniwang pinamumunuan ng mga kalalakihan. Kaya nating maging makabuluhang parte ng lipunan sa kabila ng mga pagsubok na ating kinakaharap. Sana ay magsilbi akong inspirasyon sa mga kababaihan na huwag nilang ikahon ang kanilang mga sarili sa mga pamantayang idinidikta ng patriyarkal na lipunan,” Padilla added.
Launched in 2003, the Search honors exemplary women in the agriculture sector who hail from the rural areas. It also documents their inspiring journeys, highlighting the rural women’s painstaking efforts to achieve success not only in their respective agricultural ventures but also in empowering fellow women and communities.
The SORW 2024-2025 also recognized the following outstanding rural women: Dauphine Alviar of Cagayan, Region II – First Runner-up; Wilma Alvester of Kalinga, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) – Second Runner-up; Veberly Uyaan of La Union, Region I – Third Runner-up; and Ma. Ninfa Desiree Segovia of Aklan, Region VI – Fourth Runner-up.
Aside from cash prizes, the five winners will also receive an additional prize in the form of a project or interventions available in their respective DA-Regional Field Offices.
Meanwhile, Mercelita Diaz of Zambales, Region III and Edna Deypalubos of Davao Oriental, Region XI also received consolation prizes, while Elenita Limpag of Agusan del Sur, Region XIII was recognized as a National Level Finalist.
Undersecretary and Chief-of-Staff Atty. Alvin John Balagbag, who concurrently chairs the DA-GFPS, had high praise for this year’s roster of SORW national level nominees.
“Through their hard work and passion, they are paving the way for future generations of women to continue to thrive and succeed.”
“These women represent the true spirit of empowerment—having not only overcome significant challenges but having risen above them to create lasting change in their communities and industries. Their stories of dedication, perseverance, and innovation serve as an inspiration to all of us. Through their hard work and passion, they are paving the way for future generations of women to continue to thrive and succeed,” Balagbag said in a speech read by Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther Bayate.
Moreover, citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority and other relevant studies, Senator Cynthia Villar noted the need to provide women in agriculture with access to more resources and opportunities in order for the country to respond better to challenges posed by food shortage, poverty reduction, and climate change.
“Women farmers should be given a chance to be like their male counterpart and should be trained and equipped with knowledge and skills on farm and production, planning, intercropping, integrated nutrient management, integrated pest management, waste management, digital tools for agri-entrepreneurship, and the impact of climate change on agricultural production. And what they learn should not only be applied to their own farms; they should also share these information with their fellow women farmers,” the Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform remarked.
In response, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. directed the DA family to relentlessly support and empower rural women, most especially those in the agri-fishery sector.
“Let us work together to remove the barriers that limit their opportunities, ensuring that they have access to the resources, technologies, and training needed to excel in their fields. It is our collective responsibility to build a more inclusive and equitable future, where every woman, no matter her background or location, has the chance to thrive,” Tiu Laurel said, as relayed by Undersecretary for High Value Crops Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero.
DA-Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Director Annray Rivera, and the DA-GFPS Head Secretariat, also urged everyone to support advocacies on women empowerment and rural development.
“Huwag nating hayaang matapos ang inspirasyon dito lamang sa silid na ito. Gamitin natin ito bilang lakas upang patuloy na suportahan, ipaglaban, at palakasin ang ating mga kababaihan sa kanayunan. May their stories fuel our commitment to breaking barriers, creating more opportunities, and ensuring that rural women receive the recognition, resources, and respect they rightfully deserve. Let us not see this as the end but as the beginning of an even stronger movement—one that uplifts every rural woman, celebrates their contributions, and ensures that their voices continue to be heard,” Rivera concluded.
