BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – – The Commission on Population and Development recognized the first regional awardees of the “Kaunlarang Pantao” Award, also known as the Rafael Salas Population and Development Awards.
The PopDev Award aims to publicly recognize outstanding and significant performances and contributions of the local government units, local population offices and individuals for excellence, dedication, and determination by the local population officers and workers in pursuing the goals and objectives of the Philippine Population and Development Program (PPDP).
The categories for the “Karapatang Pantao” are Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning; Adolescent Health and Development (Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy), and Use and Integration of Population Data and Information in Development Initiatives.
For the municipality level, the Kibungan Population Office under the guidance of Mayor Cesar Molitas swept all three KP categories.
For the city level, Tabuk City Population Office under the guidance of Mayor Darwin Estranero won the Responsible Parenthood and the Use and Integration of Papulation Data and Information categories. Baguio City Population Office under the guidance of Mayor Benjamin Magalong won the Adolescent Health and Development category.
POPCOM Regional Director Magdalena Abellera led the awarding of plaque of recognition to the winners at the Prince Plaza Hotel here last April 29. Winner for each category in both the municipal and city levels receive P50, 000 grant for PopDev projects.
Abellera expressed POPCOM’s gratefulness to the winners for accepting the challenge in scaling up their performance, all for the love of their constituents, families, youth and all persons in their respective areas of responsibility.
Abellera also expressed gratitude to all its partner regional line agencies for their unwavering support in accelerating the population and development motivates and inspires POPCOM to continue working to achieve its aspirations to empower Filipino Families through the PPDP.
During the awarding, National Economic Development Authority Regional Director Susan Sumbeling, Department of Social Welfare and Development RD Arnel Garcia, Dept. of the Interior and Local Government RD Araceli San Jose, Philippine Information Agency RD Helen Tibaldo, Dept. of Education Asst. RD Florante Vergara and Dept. of Health Asst. RD Dr. Amelita Pangilinan gave inspiration messages.
“The pursuit for regional autonomy is not at par with our aim in achieving demographic dividend, lest a Maunlad, Maginhawa at Planadong Pamilyang Pilipino for the families in the Cordillera Region. Hand and hand, let us continue our dedication, commitment and partnerships to improve the life of every Filipino and their families,” Abellera said. **JDP/CCD-PIA CAR
