Tubod, Lanao del Norte – Top women cooperatives of Lanao del Norte were awarded by the provincial government on March 31, 2011 during the culmination program of Women’s Month celebration held at Mindanao Civic Center gymnasium, Sagadan, Tubod.

The Search for Outstanding Women Entrepreneurs is an on-going program of the provincial LGU to empower, motivate, and encourage women’s organizations who are engaged in rural livelihood projects.

“We are really impressed by these cooperatives who have contributed much to the empowerment of women in their communities. It shows that women can excel in any field if they just put their heart and mind into it”, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Head Annabelle Mendez expressed.

Rural livelihood is one of the 3-point agenda of Governor Khalid Dimaporo. The other two are Infrastructure and Social Services.

The top winners in the contest are Bulawanong Kababaihan sa Pacita (Category 1) from the town of Lala; and Namangka (Category 2) from Sultan Naga Dimaporo. Both received cash prizes in the amount of P20,000 and P50,000 respectively.

“We need to encourage our local entrepreneurs because they are the backbone of our economy”, Information Officer Lyndon Calica said.

In the Philippines, small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), including micro-enterprises, account for 99 percent of all business establishments and 60 percent of the exporting firms in the Philippines. According to the Department of Trade and Industry, SME’s currently employ about 55 percent of the Philippine labor force and contribute 30 percent to total domestic sales volume.

The other winners in Category 1 were San Isidro Upper Women Association (second prize) and San Isidro Lower Women Association (third prize).

For Category 2, EBER Women Association won second prize and MunARC from the interior town of Munai got third place.

Another highlight of the Women’s Month culmination program is the folk dance competition.

Grabbing the top spot is the municipality of Maigo who received P5,000, while Kauswagan and Tubod were declared as second and third place winners. VNL/PIO-LDN