POPCOM spearheads National PopDev Congress

POPCOM spearheads National PopDev Congress
By Arjay S. Felicilda

Responsible Parenting and National Family Planning (RP/NFP) advocates from all over the country will troop to Metro Manila, November 25 this year, for the 2009 National POPDEV Congress.
The activity will be spearheaded by the Commission on Population (POPCOM), in collaboration with the Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare (PNGOC), line agencies of government, non-government organizations and the religious sector.
PNGOC is a duly registered non-profit organization, which espouses a development strategy that aligns social mobilization and model development with the pressing people’s agenda.
Director Psyche P. Paler of POPCOM 10 said the activity, which will take place at the Manila Hotel, is the central event of this year’s National Population and Development (POPDEV) Week celebration.
Paler will head the Northern Mindanao delegation, composed of RPO 10 personnel, namely AOV Edna F. Ramos, AOII Gualberta G. Conde, Accountant Richmond Charles Gajudo, DO Milagros T. Colastre, AASSl Roman P. Polison, POll (MIS assigned) Ma. Cristita V. Dagaraga, PAl Kristin T, Karagdag, IOl Virgilita L. Sandoval, HRM Tita M. Limas and PEOI Jeremias L. Cabasan.
Joining the group from Northern Mindanao are NFP Acceptors/Providers Renato S. Pahente, Susan U. Pahente, Ana Lea C. Pielago and Clara Cainhog of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro; Antonio T. Credo (Camiguin LGU), Caroline Neri (LGU Misamis Oriental) and PopDev Press Consultant Jose del Puerto Felicilda.
The day before the Congress, PNGOC will call a consultative meeting with members of the Media Alliance for Reproductive Health Gender and Population at the Lotus Garden, Malate, Manila.
PNGOC Executive Director Eden R. Divinagracia, PhD said during the consultative meeting, the participants are expected to share their experiences on the implementation of RP/NFP in their respective areas.
In the afternoon of same day, PNGOC will then bring the group to nearby City Garcen Suites for a media forum and fellowship.
Teogenes “Dondon” Yrat Jr. (Prangkahanay sa DXCO Program) and this writer (BusinessWeek Mindanao) are the official participants to the said activities, representing the Population and Development Press Corps (PDPC) of Cagayan de Oro City.
At the Congress venue, PDPC will setup an exhibit featuring the group’s accomplishments since its formulation early this year, under the auspices of POPCOM 10.
Other media practitioners from Mindanao, who are invited to the two special events in Manila are Merlyn Aznar (The Mindanao Express), Fema Joy Dalumpines (DXGM), Irah Vanessa Gelacio (DXVL FM), Benny Queman (Wow FM/Mindanao Cross), Bobby Taguntong (DXCM), Benjie Caballero (Mindanao Review), Venjie Rex Firmalino (DXKI), Ana Theresa Basilio (Mindanao Daily Mirror), Lyndon Catulong (DXUM Radyo Ukay), Manny Pajarito (DXGO), Gorgonio Loable (Mindanao Scoop), Sotero San Pedro (UMBN-DXRT) and Salvador Santiago (RPN-DXXX).