THEY ARE not simply banner-flailers but are the “glimmers of hope,” from whom survivors of supertyphoon Yolanda have seen optimism and gathered their strength in rebuilding their lives, properties and livelihood after having been smashed to the ground by the enormously destructive disaster.
These women leaders who were cited by the Philippine Information Agency Regional (PIA-8) were not just heroes but epitome of the truly resilient and confident Filipino, the awards organizers believed.
For the significant role they respectively played in the relief, recovery and rehabilitation efforts in the Yolanda-stricken localities in the region, these “glimmers of hope” were formally conferred their distinction as such in a simple ceremony held on April 10 at the Leyte Sports Academy Conference Hall, Tacloban City.
PIA Regional Director Olive Tiu, who initiated the award though herself equally deserving of such distinction, underscored the individual undertaking of each of the awardees of “Glimmers of Hope” in their respective fields.
“The PIA has been working with both government and non-government organizations and international humanitarian agencies, thus PIA knows what is happening on the ground. It cannot remain blind to what it has observed and witnessed in the past five months since Yolanda. So we thought of this award to honor the women who have been working after Yolanda so that our people will remain strong and resilient,” she explained.
“If the international organizations and the government agencies are not there, we the people will lose hope and find it hard to rise and recover,” Tiu added.
Named as “Glimmers of Hope” were Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan; Catbalogan City Mayor Stephanie Uy Tan whose LGU was the first to give relief respond to affected areas hours after the disaster; Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla; Health Assistant Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco and Social Welfare and Development Assistant Regional Director Virginia Idano.
Also cited were Tourism Regional Director Karina Tiopes, which agency conducted a cash-for-work for Tourism students in order for them to continue their schooling; Trade and Industry Regional Director Cynthia Nierras whose agency sent in series of caravan that offered commodities to the survivors at significantly lower price; Budget and Management-8 Director Imelda Laceras, whose agency responded with no delay for the soon release of funds to LGUs and other government agencies for their immediate disaster response operation.
Leyte II Electric Cooperative general manager Ma. Rosario Cumpio-Averstruz; Pauline Nayra of Runggiyan; Joyce Dorado-Alegre, professor of the University of the Philippines-Tacloban Campus who just ended her term as Commissioner of the National Commission in Culture and the Arts; Sandra Gani of UNFPA; Farida Casuyo of UNOCHA; Cristy Marfil of IOM in Ormoc City; as well as other female cluster heads of World Health Organization, International Federation of the Red Cross, UNCHR and UNICEF.
Aside from being first in the entire PIA nationwide, the regional office, through the initiative of Director Tiu, has piloted in Tanauan the designation of barangay information officers for more efficient communication link especially during these days following the assail of sty Yolanda. (EILEEN NAZARENO-BALLESTEROS)
