Dolores Rebatado-Ceralbo, an organic farming advocate from Brgy. Pandanon, Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental, won the top prize in this year’s Regional Search for Outstanding Rural Women at MO2 Westown Hotel, Iloilo City, on Friday, October 14.
Ceralbo received a P50,000 cash prize, P50,000 project grant, and a plaque of recognition.
Her assisting technician Ma. Elena G. Ortega of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) – Negros Occidental received a P15,000 cash prize, the Department of Agriculture – Western Visayas announced.
Ceralbo’s passion for sustainable agriculture started with her goal to provide three meals daily for her family. Through her dedication and hard work, Ceralbo was able to establish her organic integrated farm, it said.
With the hope to help other farmers in the community, she organized a farmer’s association in 2006. Through strong cooperation and commitment among the members, the association was linked to other organizations and institutions that paved the way for various marketing opportunities, the DA added.*