Monday, September 01, 2008 Isabela guv gets Magsaysay award for gov’t service
THE woman who rose above her handicap and empowered the people of Isabela Province amid an oppressive political scenario was one of the awardees of this year's Ramon Magsaysay Award for government service.
Isabela Governor Grace Padaca joined seven other awardees from different countries in various categories who have been cited for their actions that aimed to advance causes to improve lives across the region.
Padaca is being recognized for "empowering voters in Isabela to reclaim their democratic right to elect leaders of their own choosing, and to contribute as full partners in their own development."
She said the Ramon Magsaysay Award brought to focus her success on making democracy work in her province, especially in the matter of the electorate wisely using their right to vote for their leaders.
"If our victory in Isabela will truly be meaningful, it needs to be replicated in other parts of the country, especially considering that in less than two years, we will once more go to the polls and elect not only our local leaders but the new president of the Philippines," she said in her acceptance speech.
Padaca said she had been deprived of the chance to serve seven years ago when she won in the congressional elections in Isabela but another was proclaimed as winner, only to stand as awardee of the prestigious body.
"Many of us who have suffered so much have also been blessed to rise above our many challenges, need also to talk about the burden of the brave - the need to continue succeeding after raising the hopes of our people. Because if we ourselves fall short of the people's legitimate expectations, especially if those who are shaken by our radical actions continue to work against the people's interest, we will have further weakened the faith of our people in democracy," she said.
A polio victim, Padaca won the gubernatorial race in 2004 in a stunning victory that saw the trouncing of a prominent ruling political clan in the province, despite allegations that she was a candidate of the New People's Army (NPA), who terrorized the voters.
She defeated the reelectionist Faustino Dy whose family ruled over Isabela for 32 years, garnering over 244,000 votes compared to Dy's 198,000 votes.
Other laureates include Thailand's Therdchai Jivacate, who was awarded for public service for his dedicated efforts to provide inexpensive, practical and comfortable artificial limbs even to the poorest amputees.
The Philippines' Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (Card-MRI), also for public service, was awarded for its successful adaptation of micro-finance in the Philippines, and in providing self-sustaining and comprehensive services for half a million poor women and their families.
India's doctor couple, Prakash and Mandakini Amte, were honored for community leadership by enhancing the capacity of their low-cost hospital to adapt positively in today's India, through healing and teaching and other interventions.
Ahmad Syafii Maarif from Indonesia was awarded for his efforts at peace and international understanding, and for guiding fellow Muslims to "embrace tolerance and pluralism as the basis for justice and harmony."
Japanese publisher and author Akio Ishii was awardee in the category of journalism, literature and creative communication arts and was recognized for his "principled career in placing discrimination, human rights and other difficult subjects squarely in Japan's public discourse."
Sri Lankan leader Ananda Galappatti was awarded for his personal commitment to bring appropriate and effective psychological services to victims of war and natural disasters in his country.
Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia's highest honor and is widely regarded as the region's equivalent of the Nobel Prize; and is given to "the pathfinders in a changing Asia, (who) chart new ways to address persistent, often intractable problems in their societies."
It celebrates the memory and leadership example of the third Philippine President, and is given every year to individuals or organizations in Asia who manifest the same sense of selfless service that ruled the life of the late and beloved Filipino leader.
It recognizes and honors individuals and organizations in Asia regardless of race, creed, sex, or nationality, who have achieved distinction in their respective fields and have helped others generously without anticipating public recognition. The awards are given in five categories: government service; public service; community leadership; journalism, literature and creative communication arts; peace and international understanding.
Since they were first presented in 1958, the Magsaysay Awards have been given to over 200 individuals and institutions. (ECV/Sunnex)
