DSWD cites STAR for supporting programs

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) yesterday cited The Philippine STAR for supporting the agency’s programs and causes.

STAR associate editor Marichu Villanueva received the Gawad Ulat Award for Supportive Newspapers, which was part of the “PaNata Ko sa Bayan” or the “Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa Bayan” Awards acknowledging the efforts of individuals, groups or organizations that pledge to share their resources and time in providing better opportunities for disadvantaged sectors.

STAR reporter Evelyn Macairan was awarded as one of this year’s Supportive Beat Reporters.

The awards were given in line with the agency’s 62nd anniversary with the theme, “Sama Samang Husay Tungo sa Tagumpay.”

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman expressed her gratitude to members of the media for being the agency’s partners in realizing its vision to “empower the people and help improve their lives.”

The other recipients of the Supportive Newspapers Awards were Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin and BusinessMirror, while the other Supportive Beat Reporters were Cynthia Balana of PDI, Mia Gonzales and Marvin Benaning, both of BusinessMirror, and Bernadette Tamayo of People’s Journal/Tonight.

This year’s Most Supportive Radio Station is UNTV Radyo La Verdad and the Most Supportive TV Station is TV5.

Former Leyte governor now Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla received the Gawad sa Makabagong Teknolohiya Awards while the municipality of Javier in Leyte and provincial government of Bohol were named Gapas awardees.

Several organizations were bestowed with the Salamat Po Awards, namely Paul Cornelissen, executive director of Nurture the Children Foundation of Pampanga Inc. as the Best Donor Corporate Institution; Friendship Home Father Luis Amigo as the Best Non-Government Organization (NGO); and PhilSeven Foundation as the Best Volunteer.

The DSWD also cited the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Millennium Challenge Corp. of the United States; World Food Program (WFP), Millennium Challenge Account Philippines, Agencia Española de Cooperacion para el Desarollo and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.