Guaren, Gulane first OLLA awardees

CEBU, Philippines — Oslob Councilor Ronamarie Therese Guaren and Bogo City Councilor Ethel A. Gulane have been recognized as outstanding lady legislators in the first-ever Outstanding Lady Local Legislator Award (OLLA) in the Province of Cebu.

The two officials led the roster of female councilors in the province who were honored during a ceremony at the Capitol Social Hall on Tuesday, November 26.

The awards were presented by Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and Mandaue City Vice Mayor Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, who also serves as president of the Lady Local Legislators League (4Ls) in Cebu Province.

The offices of Councilors Guaren and Gulane will each receive P500,000 worth of infrastructure projects from the provincial government and P20,000 cash from the Lady Local Legislators League (4Ls) of Cebu Province. Of the P500,000 allocation, P400,000 is awarded for winning their respective categories, while P100,000 is granted for being among the finalists.

Meanwhile, the finalists in each category were also recognized for their outstanding service. Each finalist will receive P100,000 worth of infrastructure projects funded by the provincial government and a cash prize of P10,000 from the Lady Local Legislators League (4Ls) of Cebu Province.

The finalists for City category were Vivian M. Canama (City of Bogo), Annabeth Cuizon (City of Lapu-Lapu), Jennifer S. Del Mar (City of Mandaue), Ma. Nevhell L. Francisco (City of Bogo), Ethel A. Gulane (City of Bogo), and Emily Jusay Juanillo (City of Bogo).

For the municipal category, the finalists were Coca Nicohl Bustamante (Dalaguete), Ronamarie Therese Guaren (Oslob), Janet M. Hubahib (Bantayan), Thelma L. Jordan (Liloan), Maricar L. Lumain (Badian), Annette J. Navarro (Pinamungajan), and Natileigh Marie Therese S. Sitoy (Cordova).

“To all lady legislators congratulations to all of us. In a sea of male leaders, women leaders make the light and we can also shine despite nga gitapok-an ta of male leaders. Mabuhay ang kababae-an, mabuhi kitang tanan,” Guaren said in her speech.

“The award here now is the icing on top of the cake so daghang salamat but I wouldn't be standing here without the help of the rest of my Bogohanons,” said Gulane.

This award system is the first of its kind in the Philippines which highlighted the achievements of women in governance.

OLLA seeks to honor female legislators for their steadfast commitment to public service and their impactful contributions to the progress and development of their respective communities.

“Women are created with a DNA for public service. We are redefining pubic service,” Garcia said.

Also present during the ceremony were Provincial Board Member Tata Corominas-Toribio, as well as DILG regional director Leocadio Trovela, assistant regional director Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero, and provincial director Dr. Jesus Robel Sastrillo.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sugbo led by Lucero, duly recognized the exemplary performance of the female legislators in the province.

Lucero, who chairs the OLLA Awards Committee, together with DILG Sugbo crafted the guidelines and indicators of the award system.

Last Monday, the Cebu Provincial Board approved the proposed ordinance institutionalizing the Outstanding Local Lady Legislators Awards in the Province of Cebu in its third and final reading.

“The institutionalization of such recognition hopes to encourage and inspire more women in the province of Cebu to engage in public service and most especially legislative work, such as in accordance with the Constitutional Mandate to acknowledge the role and contribution of women in nation-building and in upholding the fundamental equality of men and women before the eyes of the law,” said Kerrie Keane Shimura in behalf of Corominas-Torribio, who chairs the Committee on Women, Family

Ruiz emphasized in her speech that the award celebrates not only the honorees' achievements in legislative work but also their steadfast dedication to community development and empowering the people they serve.

“Our awardees have shown exemplary leadership, passion, and resilience in navigating the challenges of public service. Through their steadfast dedication, they have help shape policies and initiatives that have made tangible difference in the lives of countless individuals, families, and communities,” said Soon-Ruiz.  FPL (CEBU NEWS)