PPO presents accomplishments, mandates.

PPO presents accomplishments, mandates

By Mary Grace P. Santos – 1Bataan

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – Mr. Danilo C. Perez, Officer-in-Charge of the Provincial Population Office (PPO), reported their accomplishments and mandates as they led in today’s flag-raising ceremony of the Provincial Government of Bataan (PGB) held at the Capitol Grounds, this City.

The Commission on Population (PopCom) through Executive Order No. 233 in 1970 was mandated to serve as the coordinating and policy-making body of the government in the field of population.

However, in 1971, when the Republic Act 6365 known as the Population Act of the Philippines was enacted into law, PopCom was tasked to coordinate, implement, monitor and evaluate the population program that will help Filipino families achieve their desired family size or the number of children enabling them to attain a better quality of life.

In line with the vision of the Provincial Government of Bataan in attaining the highest human development index in the Philippines, the PPO’s ultimate goal as a counterpart of the national agency, is to contribute in improving the quality of life of all Bataeños through responsible parenting, better health and education, attainment of population outcomes that are in harmony with available resources and sustainable environmental conditions, and reduction of poverty and inequalities in human development opportunities.

Given this mandate, the office has been implementing the Population Management Program with three program components such as: Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning Program (RP/FP), Adolescent Health and Youth Development Program (AHYD), and the Population and Development Integration (PopDev).

As part of their accomplishments from January to May 2016, they have already conducted 130 RP/FP classes to 1470 couples of reproductive age in the entire province.

Also, Pre-Marriage Counseling (PMC) programs were held in the 11 municipalities and one city, serving 2862 would-be couples attending PMC sessions. These would-be couples were given instructions on responsible parenting and family planning.

For the AHYD Program, series of symposia in secondary schools preferably the Grade 9 and 10 were held from January to April 2016 totaling 43 symposia and 3,053 students served.

Two local forums were done under the PopDev activities which include forum for local officials and integration and supporting funds for population related activities.

Moreover, Capacity Building Activities for other service providers especially on Gender and Development (GAD) program were held in various barangay offices.

As chairperson in the technical working group on GAD programs, all GAD Focal Persons in the different departments of the Provincial Government of Bataan were given orientation on Republic Act 9710 otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Women and on Republic Act 9262 also known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act.

With the help of Gov. Albert Garcia and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the passing of the GAD Code came into realization.

The office also complied in organizing GAD Focal Point System and was able to submit GAD Plan and Budget for 2017 on time amounting to P74, 574,742.

Lastly, the office provided information on GAD Basic Concepts and Issues such as awareness on the gender roles, biases and inequalities to different departments/offices including the Provincial General Services Office, Bagac Community and Medicare Hospital, Orani District Hospital, JC Payumo Memorial Hospital, Public Employment Service Office, Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Human Resources Office, Provincial Engineer’s Office, Budget, Treasurer’s Office, and the Agriculture Department.