One’s sacrifice, once made for the greater good, will bear its merit.
This rings true for Eufemia L. Robles, DSD, City Social Welfare and Development Officer of Tacurong City, who emerged as one of the Outstanding Professional Social Workers of the ASEAN Social Work Consortium – Philippines and received the Gawad Parangal sa Natatanging Kontribusyon ng Manggagawang Panlipunan under the Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers of the Philippines (ALSWDOPI).
The award, conferred to her during the virtual 3rd Philippine Social Worker’s Day on June 19, 2021, recognizes her invaluable contribution to her field of expertise as a social worker of which she’s been in service of for 40 years.
Eufemia already has a long list of distinctions and accolades under her belt. She was already acknowledged as Outstanding Social Worker of the Philippines (OSWP) GAWAD PARANGAL by the ALSWDOPI National back in 2019.
She has also shed blood, sweat, and tears in the name of public service.
Notably, during the onslaught of the COVID-19 in Tacurong, Eufemia – or Inday Fem as most people address her – was braving the frontlines despite the risks to herself as a senior citizen just to deliver to the people the necessary services such as the Social Amelioration Program payout.
She has also carried out programs catering to the needs of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the city.
Most recent of these is the distribution of wheelchairs, food packs, and stuffed toys to 50 PWDs. Those who were categorized as Children With Special Needs were also subjected to Physical Therapy.
Further, her contribution spanned not only in the city or the region but also all throughout the island of Mindanao. She has rendered her assistance in reconvening the local chapters of social workers in Mindanao to attain utmost organization and functionality.
“It is a great honor and pride for me to receive the prestigious award,” Eufemia conveyed. She also expressed her immense gratitude to the late City Mayor Angelo O. Montilla and his family, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tacurong, and the ALSWDOPI Local/National.
These are just some of the remarkable imprints Dr. Robles has made.
As her career as a professional social worker enters its twilight, she carries in her heart a light that the preceding breed of social workers may, in the name of public service, use to forge their own path of sacrifices and success, if not to follow the one she already treaded. (DEC, LGU-TacInformation)
