President Benigno S. Aquino III, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano Soliman (6th from left) and Undersecretary Celia Capadocia-Yangco, chairperson of DSWD 60th Anniversary Committee (9th from left), led the awarding ceremony for DSWD partners and stakeholders on January 26, 2011 at DSWD Central Office, Batasan Hills, Quezon City.

DSWD’s partners and stakeholders received the PaNata Awards or “Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa Bayan,” which gave recognition to non-government organizations (NGOs), local government units (LGUs), People’s Organizations (POs), media persons and organizations, as well as individuals who have selflessly dedicated their time, energy and resources helping the Department to carry out its mandate of improving the lives of the disadvantaged sectors of society.

Shown in photo with President Aquino, Secretary Soliman and Undersecretray Yangco are (from left): Ms. Nora Golocan, President of Geb-An SEA-Kabayan of Bauko, Mt. Province-Model Self-Employment Assistance Association; Mr. Kenneth Yang, President, Ronald McDonald House Charities; Ms. Connie Angeles, Executive Director, Health and Medical Programs, SM Foundation; Ms. Victoria Weineke, Head Convenor, Kabisig ng Kalahi; and Sister Maria Socorro Pilar Evidente, Hospital Administrator, Hospicio De San Jose-Best NGO.

Also in photo are the recipients of special recognition, namely:  Dr. Christopher Spohr, Senior Education Economist, (behind Secretary Soliman), Asian Development Bank (ADB); (8th from left onwards) Congresswoman Georgina De Venecia;  Ms. Carmen Suva, Vice-President for Public Relations of Manila Bulletin (representing Dr. Emilio Yap); Mr. Siraj Shamsuddin, Executive Director, ADB; Mr. Bert Hofman, Country Director, World Bank; and Mr. Titon Mitra, Minister Counselor of the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAid). ### (DSWD Social Marketing Service) January 27, 2011