Primo Pinoy, Jr. of Barangay Malama, Ligao City was recently awarded as the 2014 Regional Exemplary Child of Pantawid Pilipino Program.

The award was given by the Department of Social Welfare and Development to recognize children of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries who are compliant with the program’s conditionalities and advocate/harness support from different stakeholders.

The search is now on its third year and is spearheaded by the Pantawid Pamilya National Project Management Office. In 2013, Bicol who was represented by Nicole Martinez from Jose Panganiban Camarines Norte got the third place in the national tilt which was held in Manila.

Primo Pinoy Jr, this year’s winner is 14 years old, a grade 8 student of Bacong National High School, Ligao City. The youngest in the brood of three of Primo Sr., a farmer and Melinda, housekeeper. A consistent academic awardee since he was in grade school to present. He received a cash prize of P15, 000, a trophy and certificate of recognition.

The other regional winners were: First runner up: Vanessa Bolid, 13 years old from Binobong, Pili, Camarines Sur and the second runner up is Jayra Mae Toririt, 13 years old from Gigmoto, Catanduanes also a grade 8 student of Dururian National High School.

The first runner up received a cash prize of P 10,000, a trophy and certificate of recognition and the second runner up also received 7,000, a trophy and certificate of recognition.

There were 15 children from the different provinces in Bicol who joined the search.

The three winners will join the National Children Congress to be held in Manila on October 25, 2014 while Primo Pinoy will be the region’s bet for the National Search for the Exemplary Pantawid Pilipino Children .### /eejerusalem