TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, March 22 (PIA) – The Philippine Information Agency recognized today another set of ten exemplary women in the region who have contributed to poverty alleviation, community development, and women empowerment.

Angely L. Mercado, PIA regional director and IDDU chair, said the IDDU Honor Roles Award for Women started in March 2012 which aims to recognize woman-honorees whose exemplary performances and outstanding achievements continue to serve as inspiration and models to the rest of the women sector.

She said “Iddu” is an Ibanag term that means “loved” and was used to suggest that the award originated in the Premier Ibanag City of the North, Tuguegarao.

She, however, clarified that the IDDU Award is not an award where the honor is given based on qualification points nor conceived as a competition among women sector but a recognition, as exemplified by the word “role” in its title, of the efforts of the woman-honorees.

Mercado identified the awardees and their respective categories as JSupt. Maria Lourdes Pacion (law enforcement), Dr. Evangeline Calubaquib (science and technology), Dir. Teresita Tabaog (gender and development), Engr. Dauphine Alviar (agriculture), Ma. Corazon Xy-za Escobar (humanitarian service), Mia Ventura (public service), Jenifer Oliquiano (education), Rebecca Ruth Resuello (culture and arts), Carmelita Jimenez (local governance) and Marites Balbas (environment sector).

She said for an individual to be included in the list of potential woman-honorees, there should be no protest nor negative feedback of any form against any of the nominees to be received by the agency before the awarding day.

“Part of the awarding process is the conduct of interviews with the earlier identified nominees, and the leaders and individuals who can vouch for the nominees’ exemplary performances,” the IDDU Chair added.

Aside from the Provincial Center Managers of PIA, Mercado said they also included some officers of the PIA Employees Association, partner agencies, and Informers’ Club, a Cagayan-based media organization, as part of the selection body who have worked with the nominees and have witnessed their achievements and successes.

Despite the agency’s limited resources, Mercado said they will sustain the project and continue to recognize the “drivers of change” in the region who untiringly volunteered themselves in urban and rural developments and who never expected awards or recognition from any group, yet, went out of their way to do something good.

Meanwhile, Dr. Zsa Zsa May T. Meneses, an internal medicine specialist, and 2017 Iddu Awardee, served as this year’s guest of honor and speaker.

Meneses said the stories of success of the already 120 Iddu woman-honorees, including our 2024 awardees now, played significant roles in uplifting the lives of our fellow women and other vulnerable sectors of society.

“Let us not forget that when women are empowered, societies are more stable, economies are more prosperous, and everyone benefits,” Meneses added.

In her closing message, DA OIC-Regional Executive Director Rose Mary G. Aquino urged everyone to support women's activities, just like the PIA’s institutionalized Iddu recognition, to amplify the women’s voices, and create spaces where they can thrive and lead. (JPT/PIA Region 2)