31 March 2021
Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh!
Ladies and Gentlemen! I am deeply honored to receive such a very rare award and to be considered as one of the ‘Women of the Year’ in Lanao Del Sur. I am earnestly grateful for this recognition that I have for my work, service, and effort. I am also sure that every other nominee and awardee were deserving as well.
Being awarded as a Woman of the Year is quite a challenge. Why? Because we who have been chosen as ‘Women of the Year’ need to cherish this honor. We must make sure that we work hard every day to be deserving of such an award because this does not just represent this one moment of honor. This award symbolizes long years of service. It is for the people who through some way or the other we have helped.
I have faced several challenges on my way here, but each one of them has strengthened me to make me the person I am today – someone who sets her eyes on a goal and does not lose sight of it until it is achieved. Winning this award would not have been possible without the inspiration I have received from my seniors, my staff, and my colleagues, for whom I have the deepest respect, and of course, from my family, and from whom I have derived the strength to challenge myself and perform better at each stage.
I am championing women sectoral issues and concerns including their welfare, health, safety, and security. I managed to file and support bills, resolutions, policy briefs and other write-ups that tackles different issues in the women agenda. The women sector is one of my chosen areas of focus on my journey as an MP to be able to help in addressing major issues at the BTA Parliament during the sessions, as well as in our various programs. One of the flagship programs of my Office in the field of women is the Women Empowerment and Livelihood Initiative for Peace (WELiveforPeace) and MP Maisara’s Scholarship Program for Vulnerable Women Morit in Madrasa.
Some of the large contributions of our Office in the field of education were the creation of a free learning website known as the ‘Siyap ko Kapaganad’ (Care for Education), an online learning platform that contains free videos and modules for the K-12 level to be used by our students, parents and teachers. I am also conducting a series of consultations in aid of legislation.
To date, we have filed fifty-two (53) resolutions, and six (6) bills, among them include the creation of a Ranao Development Authority which would be tasked with the preservation and rehabilitation of our precious treasure, Lake Lanao, as well as the Bangsamoro Orphanage Act of 2020.
I hope that we were able to satisfy the trust that you have put in our office with this award.
Words are not enough. Alhamdulillah and thank you very much.
