PANTAWID EXEMPLARY CHILDREN. 11 year-old John Christian Victoriano of San Isidro, Davao Oriental is the 2016 Exemplary Child Regional Winner. He bested four regional search contenders -Clarence Penaso from New Corella, Davao del Norte; Jaybee Padasay from Matanao, Davao del Sur; Elisha Yehsa Marquizo from New Bataan, Compostela Valley; and Chlarince Lamila from Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental. Also in photo are [from left] Florie May Tacang of Kaugmaon Center for Children’s Concerns; Elna Arenal, San Isidro Municipal Social Welfare Officer; Jena Victoriano, mother of John Christian; and DSWD Regional  Director Mercedita P. Jabagat.

The Search for Exemplary Child of Pantawid Pamilya is an annual event started in 2012. It is a competition open to exemplary Pantawid Pamilya children-beneficiaries who are 10 to 14 years old. The regional winner received Php 20,000 in cash while the provincial winners got Php 10,000 each.  The regional and provincial winners are set to attend the National Children’s Congress on November 17-23 in Metro Manila. The regional winner will then compete in the national search. 

At the recent Awarding of Winners, John Christian encouraged co-children beneficiaries to “never give up and to use life’s daily challenges as lamp posts towards their dreams.” (DSWD)