(R-L) Provincial Population and Development Officer Hilmer B. Ongue, Larena Mayor Cyrus Vincent Calibo, Registered Nurse RHU of Larena Monielyn Acas Lomosad, Larena MSWDO Rosalie Balongag, Larena Population Program Officer 1 Mari Marsh Chelle, and Board Member Brylle Deeiah Tomarong Quio during the Rafael M. Salas Kaunlarang Pantao Awarding Ceremony conducted by the Commission on Population and Development. (PIA7 Siquijor)
LARENA, Siquijor (PIA) – The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) has recognized six population officers and peer educators here for their efforts in supporting the population programs of CPD during the Rafael M. Salas Kaunlarang Pantao Awarding Ceremony.
The municipal population officers who were awarded were Marichelle Cambarihan of Larena, Charlene Sabellano of San Juan, and Marites Mate of Enrique Villanueva, while the peer educators were Niño Monticod of Larena Youth Care Care Organization (LYCO), Jeremy Jumawan of Siquijor Youth Advocate (SIQYA), and 1st district board member Brylle Deeiah Tumarong-Quio.
Monticod, 22, president of LYCO in Larena, said he feels privileged to be part of the population development program.
"It's very important that there is civic participation in the community. I think volunteering is really a place not just for the community itself but among the youth also,” he said.
Tomarong-Quio shared that the effective implementation of various programs and projects requires collaboration, unity, understanding, and support among the members of the community and stakeholders involved.
"Nanalamat ko it’s because di man gud kaya ra sa isa nga mapatuman ang mga different programs and projects sa CPD and even for the entire province of Siquijor. Kinahanglan gyud na sya ug panaghiusa, ug understanding to each other and of course, panagsuportaanay,” she said.
(I believe it's not feasible for one person alone to implement the various programs and projects of CPD and even for the entire province of Siquijor. It really requires unity, understanding among each other, and of course, mutual support.)
(R-L) Provincial Population and Development Officer Hilmer B. Ongue, PIA Siquijor Infocen Manager Rizalie A. Calibo, and Board Member Brylle Deeiah Tomarong Quio. (PIA Siquijor)
Outstanding LGUs
CPD also recognized several local government units for their effective implementation of population - and health-related programs.
The towns of Siquijor, San Juan, and Larena were awarded as Most Outstanding LGUs for their efforts in lobbying for policy support, resource mobilization, and inclusion of Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RPFP), Adolescent Health and Development (AHD), and Population and Development (POPDEV) in their local government's projects and activities.
Municipalities that recorded zero 10-14 teenage pregnancies for three years were also recognized, namely: Enrique Villanueva, Larena, and Siquijor, while the towns of Siquijor, Lazi, and Larena were also recognized for their decreasing trend of 10-19 teen pregnancies for three years.
Maria ranked first as the most outstanding LGU in demand satisfaction with modern family planning methods, followed by Larena and Enrique Villanueva.
Larena town was recognized for its active organizations, peer educators, functional teen centers, and dedicated staff from the Rural Health Unit.
CPD also recognized seven national government agencies, one of which is the Philippine Information Agency in Siquijor, for actively assisting the agency in promoting the government’s population programs. (CAG/PIA7 Siquijor)
