OWWA REGION 6 MARILAG AWARDS 2021

Three women community leaders and seven women from the public service were the first
recipients of the Marilag Awards in Western Visayas – an award conferred by the Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office 6 to recognize and highlight
women’s contribution in empowering OFWs and their family members in their respective
community. Tribute was also given to women in service who has meaningfully made a
difference in the lives of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Region.

Marilag Awards 2021 of OWWA RWO VI was anchored on the theme “Babayi, Bulahan ka!
Malig-on sa tunga sang pandemya” in time for the National Women’s Month Celebration this
March.

Distinguished during the awards ceremony held last March 5, 2021 at L fisher Chalet Hotel
Bacolod City were three OFW Family Circle (OFC) leaders; Ms. Salvacion S. Barrios
(President, OFW Federation of Negros Occidental), Ms. Miraluna Casiano ( President,
Victorias City OFW Federation), and Ms. Ninfa Toquillo (President, Bacolod City OFW
Federation). The awardees were selected based on the impact of their undertakings for the
interests and benefits of women and migrant workers in their locality and must be actively
working with OWWA Regional Welfare Office VI.

On Tuesday, March 9, 2021, accolades were given to Representative Julienne Baronda of

the Lone District of Iloilo, Aletha Nogra of the Office of Civil Defense 6 (OCD 6), Dr. Mary
Jean Roches Juanico of Department of Health 6 (DOH 6), Dr. Maria Socorro Quinon of the
Iloilo Provincial Health Office, Dr. D’Wanie Conlu of the Bureau of Quarantine – Iloilo Station
and Engr. Rufina Aquino, of the Office of the Maritime Industry Authority 6 (MARINA 6) and
Ms. Annabelle Rosario Blancaflor from Iloilo City Health Office (CHO) .

OWWA RWO VI Officer-in-Charge Ms. Rizza Joy Moldes expressed her felicitations and
wished that the award will renew the fervor of Marilag Awardees as pillars of women in
public service while exuding grace and compassion.

Marilag Awards 2021 was also intended to acknowledge the exceptional service of various
government agencies in the region while empowering women overseas Filipino Workers
(OFWs) amidst the threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19).

Plaques of recognition were awarded to the Bureau of Fire Protection 6, Department of

Tourism 6, Philippine Coast Guard-Western Visayas, Philippine Ports Authority –
Panay/Guimaras, Bureau of Quarantine – Iloilo Station, Philippine Information Agency 6,
Department of the Interior and Local Government 6, Philippine National Police-Police
Regional Office 6, DOH 6, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, OCD 6, Philippine Air
Force-Tactical Operations Group 6, Philippine Red Cross Iloilo, MARINA 6 and Philippine
Army 3rd Infantry Division.

To Marilag Awardee Dr. D'wanie Katague Gregorio Conlu, “As a former OFW, this is really
something worth cherishing. I share this to all my colleagues working abroad and in the
government service.”

For Ms. Salvacion Barrios, “this award is heart-warming. As a volunteer worker in the
community, recognitions like this fuel our soul as we continue to extend support and
assistance to our fellow OFWs and their family members”.