Republic of the Philippines

MUNICIPAL POPULATION OFFICE

Municipality of Pulilan
Pulilan, Bulacan

PROJECT PROPOSAL

PROJECT TITLE : COVIDTeen’s Spoken Word Poetry Contest:

“Kabataan, Share mo Yan”
Date : December 04, 2020
Venue : Municipal of Pulilan
Target : Youth in Pulilan
Estimated Expenses : P 100,000.00
Source of Fund : Adolescent Health and Youth Development Program
“Toga muna bago trahe de boda”

RATIONALE

AHD COVIDTeen’s Spoken Word Poetry: “Youth, Share mo yan” aims to raise awareness among today’s youth
about current events by conducting an online spoken word competition where they are free to express their
thoughts. This activity also aims to give young people a voice to express their views and opinions. Another
effect will be the development of literacy and increase the confidence of the young people who will participate
in the said contest.

Young people today including the youth in Pulilan have different experiences and perspectives on life. These
insights and experiences can be a source of lessons and a way to identify problems that will lead to the creation
of appropriate solutions.

Furthermore, Municipal Population sees this as an effective strategy to reach its vision of developing, and
improving the youth’s character, creativity, and critical thinking, which is in line with POPCOM’s goal of
building and nurturing empowered youth of Region III.

The project requires the espousal of the Local Government Unit and the Municipal Population Office of Pulilan
as conduit, which shall implement/role out such project that will contribute to the Government’s effort of
delivering basic services to the people.

OBJECTIVES

1. To give young people a voice to express their views and opinions.

2. To develop literacy and increase the confidence of the young people.
3. To formulate appropriate solutions to the current problems of young people.

IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES

Municipal Population Office:

1. Coordinate with Barangay Captain to allow the Adolescent to join the COVIDTeen’s Spoken Words
Contest.
2. Invite Adolescent 10-19 years old from 19 Barangay to participate in the event.
3. Conduct a PPMP, ASRH and YAFs orientation open to different Barangay across the Pulilan
4. Provide groceries for the consolation, cash prizes and trophies for the winners.
5. Develop and disseminate guidelines; Identify and choose Host and Judges, and Conduct promotional
Activities.

GENERAL CONTEST GUIDELINES

The COVIDTeen’s Spoken Word Poetry Contest is open to 19 barangay; aged from 10-19 interested youth are
enncouraged to attend the orientation to be conducted by Municipal Population.

CONTEST MECHANICS
Participants must fill in the Google form provided by the Pulilan Population Office

After that they need to check their email to see if they are officially participating in the contest

Once they have officially joined, they can submit their video at the link provided by the Population
Office

This Spoken word poetry competition has no specific theme so they are free to do whatever theme they
want

On the day of the awarding there will be an open forum before the official announcement of the
winners
.

BUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS
Prizes : 1st Prize 20,000.00
2nd Prize 15,000.00
3rd Prize 10,000.00
Consolation Prizes - Groceries
(worth of P 500.00 x52 contestant ) 26,000.00
Organizer/Co-host (2pax x 3000) 6,000.00
Trophy ( 3winner x 2000) 6,000.00
Food Expenses (20pax x P500) 10,000.00
Judges (3pax x 2000) 6,000.00
Tarpaulin 1,000.00
Total P 100,000.00

Chargeable against Population Office Program Fund /Regular Fund of the Local Government

RECOMMENDATION

In view of the above, the undersigned respectfully recommends that the project proposal be
approved and the necessary budgetary requirements be released charge against Population Office Program
Fund for the smooth implementation of the project.

Prepared and submitted by: Approved by:

QUEEN RIO A. CRUZ HON. MARIA ROSARIO OCHOA-MONTEJO

Municipal Population Officer Municipal Mayor

(Focal Person)

Republic of the Philippines

 MUNICIPAL POPULATION OFFICE
Municipality of Pulilan
Pulilan, Bulacan

PROJECT TITLE : COVIDTeen’s Talk Trivia Tournament : “Challenges and

Opportunities During the Outbreak”
Date : November 19-20, 2020
Time : 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Venue : All Barangay
Target : Youth Leader in 19 barangay
Source of Fund : Adolescent Health and Youth Development Program

POPULATION PROGRAM
ACTIVITY PERSON IN-CHARGE
Registration MPO/MNO
Opening Prayer/National Anthem/Pulilan Rhym AVP
Opening Remarks Hon.MARIA ROSARIO O.
Overview of Adolescent Health and Development MONTEJO
(Municipal Mayor)
Module 1
Region 3 and Bulacan Youth NICK SANGGALANG
Situationaire based on Young Adult CITY POPULATION OFFICER
Fertility Survey 4 (YAFS4) FACILATOR

Module 2
Developmental Changes

Module 3
Fertility and Sexuality (w/o ppt)

Module 4 PEL VINCENT A. CRUZ

Harnessing my Adolescent with LIFESKILLS YOUTH LEADER
FACILATOR
Module 5
Frequently Asked Questions by Youth on sex

Teenage Pregnancy

HAND OUT SKILLS

COVIDTeen’s Trivia Tournament

Adolescents' Motivations to Engage in Social Distancing During the
COVID-19 Pandemic: Associations With Mental and Social Health

bstract
Purpose
Reducing the spread of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted
recommendations for individuals to socially distance. Little is known about the
extent to which youth are socially distancing, what motivations underlie their social
distancing, and how these motivations are connected with amount of social
distancing, mental health, and social health. Using a large sample of adolescents
from across the United States, this study examined adolescents' motivations for
social distancing, their engagement in social distancing, and their mental and
social health.
Methods
Data were collected on March 29th and 30th, 2020, two weeks after COVID-19 was
declared a national emergency in the United States. The sample consisted of 683
adolescents recruited using social media. A series of multiple linear regressions
examined unique associations among adolescents' motivations to engage in social
distancing, perceived amount of social distancing, anxiety symptoms, depressive
symptoms, burdensomeness, and belongingness.
Results
Almost all respondents (98.1%) reported engaging in at least a little social
distancing. The most commonly reported motivations for social distancing
concerned social responsibility and not wanting others to get sick. Motivations
concerning state or city lockdowns, parental rules, and social responsibility were
associated with greater social distancing, whereas motivations concerning no
alternatives were associated with less social distancing. Specific motivations for
social distancing were differentially associated with adolescents' anxiety symptoms,
depressive symptoms, burdensomeness, and belongingness.
Conclusions
Understanding adolescents' motivations to engage in social distancing may inform
strategies to increase social distancing engagement, reduce pathogen transmission,
and identify individual differences in mental and social health during the COVID-
19 pandemic.

Teens and social media during the COVID-19

pandemic: Staying socially connected while
physically distant

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the health, safety, and daily lives of all individuals. Adolescents may

be uniquely sensitive to this abrupt disruption in their lives due to the biological and psychological changes

that occur during this developmental period. Social media has rapidly transformed the ways in which

adolescents socialize and interact with one another, which has contributed to an ongoing debate about

whether social media is helping or harming teens today. The COVID-19 pandemic has only magnified this

societal dilemma as teens are spending more time than ever before on social media. Thus, it is important

for parents, educators, and teens to better understand social media use in the context of COVID-19. This

article discusses the implications of social media for adolescent development and mental health in the

context of COVID-19, with attention to the ways in which social media may be especially helpful for teens

in the midst of physical distancing practices, as well as how social media behaviors can negatively impact

teens’ physical and mental health during this time. Using research and theory, the article provides practical

guidance on facilitating teens’ helpful use of social media and mitigating its negative effects during the

COVID-19 pandemic. As more people than ever before are relying on social media to maintain social

connection and ward off social isolation, this article may be useful for people of all ages who aim to

understand the benefits and drawbacks of social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ang pandemya ng COVID-19 ay nakaapekto

sa kalusugan, kaligtasan, at pang-araw-
araw na buhay ng lahat ng mga
indibidwal. Ang mga kabataan ay
maaaring maging natatanging sensitibo
sa biglaang pagkagambala na ito sa
kanilang buhay dahil sa mga pagbabago
sa biological at sikolohikal na
nagaganap sa panahon ng pag-unlad na
ito. Mabilis na binago ng social media
ang mga paraan kung paano
nakikisalamuha at nakikipag-ugnayan ang
mga kabataan sa isa't isa, na nag-ambag
sa isang nagpapatuloy na debate tungkol
sa kung ang social media ay tumutulong
o mapinsala ang mga kabataan ngayon.
Ang pandemya ng COVID-19 ay pinalaki
lamang ang dilemma sa lipunan habang
ang mga tinedyer ay gumugugol ng mas
maraming oras kaysa dati sa social
media. Kaya, mahalaga para sa mga
magulang, guro, at tinedyer na mas
maunawaan ang paggamit ng social media
sa konteksto ng COVID-19. Tinalakay sa
artikulong ito ang mga implikasyon ng
social media para sa pagbuo ng kabataan
at kalusugan ng isip sa konteksto ng
COVID-19, na may pansin sa mga paraan
kung saan maaaring maging lalong
kapaki-pakinabang ang social media para
sa mga kabataan sa gitna ng mga pisikal
na kasanayan sa paglayo, pati na rin
kung paano ang panlipunan ang pag-
uugali ng media ay maaaring negatibong
makaapekto sa kalusugan ng kalusugan at
pang-isip ng mga kabataan sa panahong
ito Gamit ang pananaliksik at teorya,
nagbibigay ang artikulo ng praktikal na
patnubay sa pagpapadali ng kapaki-
pakinabang na paggamit ng mga kabataan
ng social media at pagpapagaan ng mga
negatibong epekto nito sa COVID-19
pandemya. Tulad ng mas maraming mga tao
kaysa dati ay umaasa sa social media
upang mapanatili ang koneksyon sa
lipunan at iwaksi ang paghihiwalay sa
lipunan, ang artikulong ito ay maaaring
maging kapaki-pakinabang para sa mga
tao ng lahat ng edad na naglalayon

Young Filipinos' Sexual and Reproductive Health Situation

Filipino adolescents and youth share the same challenges besetting the young people around
the world. Living in an environment of dynamic change, they are exposed to various kinds of
susceptibilities, particularly those related to their sexual and reproductive health. In this
phase of life, their curiosity and feeling of invincibility drive them to explore things unknown
to them which they thought to be pleasurable and harmless at first but in the end put them
in complicated situations that would endanger their future in the long run. 

Key results of the 2013 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study or the YAFS 4 yield telling
information about the core and emerging sexual risk taking behavior of the young Filipinos
ages 15-24.1 Based on the YAFS 4 the level of early sexual involvement has continued to
increase from 23 percent in 2002 to 32 percent in 2013. Moreover, there is a narrowing gap
in the level of early sexual activities between sexes wherein young females are catching with
their male counterparts. In terms of regional differential, greater proportion of young people
who has engaged in early sex are found in NCR, Central Luzon and Region 11. What is
alarming is among those who already had sex, 78 percent of them did not have sufficient
protection from pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS. Notable
proportion of young people have also engaged in other risky sexual activities such as casual
sex, “fuck buddy” or FUBU, male having sex with male (MSM) and extra marital sex.

The emerging forms of information and communication technology have been a potent
vehicle of young Filipinos in discovering and engaging in sexually-related activities. Aside
from exposure to pornographic materials such as magazines, movies and websites, a notable
percentage of youth, specifically males have sent and received sex videos through cellphones
or internet. Other related sexual activities they have involved in are video recording oneself
having sex, having sex with someone they just met online or through text messaging and
engaging in phone sex. Such incidences of sexual activities are highest among young people
from NCR, Central Luzon and CALABARZON. The foregoing expansion in technology and
forms of sexual activities has apparently led to to perceptible changes in the patterns and
topographies of courtship, dating and relationships among young people.

One of the outcomes of risky sexual behavior is teen pregnancy. Based on the YAFS 4 data,
the incidence of pregnancy among young females ages 15-19 has doubly increased from 6.3
percent in 2002 to 13.6 percent in 2013. The incidence is highest in CAR (18.4%), Cagayan
Valley (18.1%) and NCR (17%). 

Another aspect that the YAFS 4 continued to examine is the experience of young people of
any reproductive health problem. Looking into differentials between sexes, more young
females (73%) has reported experiencing symptoms of any reproductive health problem than
young males (36.6%). Common problems being encountered by young females are
dysmenorrhea (47.6%), irregular menstrual period (31.6%) and painful urination (28.5%).
And among those who have had sexual experience, 22 percent reported to have painful
sexual intercourse. As regards the experience of young males of reproductive health
problems, painful urination (19.9%) is found to be the most common followed by itching in
the genital area (11.1%) and infection from circumcision (9%). Notwithstanding their
reported experience of the foregoing problems, the health seeking behavior of young people
remains low, which is 27.2 percent among young males and 34.3 percent among young
females. Though there is an increase from the 2002 YAFS data, specifically among young
females, there still a need to increase the proportion of young people experiencing any
reproductive health problem who seek professional help.

With regard HIV cases among young people, data on the reported cases gathered by the
Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC) yield significant information about the implication of
the young people’s sexual risk taking behavior. Of the 6,011 reported cases in 2014, 28.1
percent are young people ages 15-24. Moreover, 94 percent of the total reported cases were
infected through sexual contact and predominantly males. Further, half of those who were
infected through sexual contact were 28 years old and below. And of the total reported
deaths among people with HIV, 15 percent were young people ages 15-24.

Under the Adolescent Health and Development Program (AHDP), POPCOM has implemented
popular and innovative strategies for the young people in the last 15 years. In partnership
with the Department of Education (DepEd), POPCOM conducts yearly the National Population
Quiz which primarily aims to increase the awareness and interest of the young people on
population and development concerns. PopCom also produced an indie film in 2011 entitled,
“Crossroads” which depicts young people’s various issues and concerns--- romantic
relationships, teen pregnancy and early marriages, conflict with parents and substance abuse
among others. The agency likewise conducts orientation on adolescent sexual and
reproductive health and youth camps. It has also produced advocacy tools (e.g. State of the
Philippine Population Report 2) to generate support for the AHDP from influentials and
training tools to capacitate the young as well as program workers in peer education (e.g.
Sexually Healthy and Personally Empowered Adolescents or SHAPE-A Training Package). 

Currently, POPCOM in partnership with local government units implements the U4U (You-for-
You) Teen Trail initiative, a peer-to-peer interactive strategy that aims to deliver critical
information to Filipino teens aged (10-19) to prevent teen pregnancy and reduce the
prevalence of sexually transmitted infections through various platforms (online portal, social
media, interactive voice response and teen trail).

Aside from POPCOM, other government agencies such as the DepEd, Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD) and National Youth Commission (NYC) as well as
nongovernment organizations (NGOs) like Family Planning Organization of the Philippines
(FPOP), Philippine NGO Council on Population Health & Welfare, Inc. (PNGOC), and Philippine
Center for Population and Development (PCPD) have initiated and implemented relevant
strategies for the young. The foregoing organizations and other more has catered to young
people from different settings (e.g. in-school and out-of-school and in the work place) and
situations or conditions (e.g. married, commercial sex workers and differently abled).

Admittedly, no institution can single-handedly promote adolescent health and youth

development concerns. To complete the cycle of service provision and link all demand-
generation activities with that of service delivery, the Information and Service Delivery
Network (ISDN) was also initiated and introduced by POPCOM to all local government units.
This way, the adoelscent needing further health and social services would know how and
where to avail of these services.Thus, there is a need for synergy and collaboration among
GO's, NGO's and LGUs.

Published: 16 July 2015

 
Hits: 2422

Ang mga kabataang Pilipino at kabataan

ay nagbabahagi ng parehong hamon sa mga
kabataan sa buong mundo. Nakatira sa
isang kapaligiran ng pabago-bagong
pagbabago, nahantad sila sa iba't ibang
mga uri ng pagkamaramdamin, partikular
ang mga nauugnay sa kanilang kalusugan
sa sekswal at reproduktibo. Sa yugtong
ito ng buhay, ang kanilang pag-usisa at
pakiramdam ng walang pagkatalo ay
hinihimok sila upang galugarin ang mga
bagay na hindi alam sa kanila na sa
palagay nila ay nakalulugod at hindi
nakakasama sa una ngunit sa huli ay
inilagay sila sa mga kumplikadong
sitwasyon na maaaring mapanganib ang
kanilang hinaharap sa pangmatagalan.

Pangunahing mga resulta ng 2013 Young

Adult Fertility and Sexual Study o ang
YAFS 4 na nagbigay ng impormasyon
tungkol sa core at umuusbong na peligro
sa pag-uugali ng sekswal na pag-uugali
ng mga kabataang Pilipino na may edad
15-24.1 Batay sa YAFS 4 ang antas ng
maagang paglahok sa sekswal ay patuloy
na nadagdagan mula 23 porsyento noong
2002 hanggang 32 porsyento noong 2013.
Bukod dito, may isang makitid na agwat
sa antas ng maagang mga sekswal na
aktibidad sa pagitan ng mga kasarian
kung saan nahuhuli ng mga kabataang
babae ang kanilang mga katapat na
lalaki. Sa mga tuntunin ng pagkakaiba-
iba sa rehiyon, ang mas malaking
proporsyon ng mga kabataan na
nakipagtalik sa maagang pakikipagtalik
ay matatagpuan sa NCR, Central Luzon at
Rehiyon 11. Ano ang nakakaalarma sa mga
naka-sex na, 78 porsyento sa kanila ang
walang sapat na proteksyon mula sa
pagbubuntis at mga impeksyon na
nakukuha sa sekswal (STI) at HIV /
AIDS. Ang kilalang proporsyon ng mga
kabataan ay nakikibahagi din sa iba
pang mapanganib na mga sekswal na
aktibidad tulad ng kaswal na kasarian,
"magkasintahan na kaibigan" o FUBU,
lalaki na nakikipagtalik sa lalaki
(MSM) at sobrang kasarian.

Ang mga umuusbong na anyo ng

teknolohiya ng impormasyon at
komunikasyon ay naging isang malakas na
sasakyan ng mga kabataang Pilipino sa
pagtuklas at pakikisali sa mga
aktibidad na nauugnay sa sekswal. Bukod
sa pagkakalantad sa mga materyal na
pornograpiko tulad ng magazine,
pelikula at website, isang kilalang
porsyento ng kabataan, partikular na
ang mga lalaki ay nagpadala at
nakatanggap ng mga video sa sex sa
pamamagitan ng mga cellphone o
internet. Ang iba pang nauugnay na mga
aktibidad na sekswal na isinangkot nila
ay ang pag-record ng video sa sarili na
nakikipagtalik, nakikipagtalik sa isang
tao na ngayon lang nila nakilala sa
online o sa pamamagitan ng pagmemensahe
ng text at pakikipag-sex. Ang ganitong
mga insidente ng mga aktibidad na
sekswal ay pinakamataas sa mga kabataan
mula sa NCR, Central Luzon at
CALABARZON. Ang nabanggit na
pagpapalawak ng teknolohiya at mga
porma ng mga aktibidad na sekswal ay
tila humantong sa mga napapansin na
pagbabago sa mga pattern at topograpiya
ng panliligaw, pakikipag-date at mga
relasyon sa mga kabataan.

Dheniel V. Pontiga of Rizal High School in Pasig City emerged as the Champion in the recently
concluded National Population Quiz 2016 held at Anchors Hotel in General Santos City.  He brought
back the national award to Metro Manila after more than a decade since it last won in this prestigious
competition and the first for the Division of City Schools of Pasig to win the title in the national level.

Pontiga  bested the 17 other regional contestants from all over the Philippines after dominating the
average and difficult rounds, garnering an accumulated score of  31 points out of the total score of
41. Coming in second place was Kaynille Denisse Zera from Negros Island Region and Ambon Torribio
from Region IX in third place.

POPCOM-NCR Regional Director said that the PopQuiz is an opportunity for the young people to be
exposed to pressing population issues that have impact on their development.  POPCOM-NCR will
continue to partner with DepEd in raising the awareness of the young people on population issues
that concern them today and in the future.

Portiga’s coach, Mr. Alson Fernandez shared that winning the Championship title in the national level
has been so elusive since he became coach of PopQuiz competition.  “Good things happen to those
who persevere. We are prepared and determined to make it this year and we did.”

Dheniel was also grateful for the experience of having travelled to another region, experiencing its
culture but apart from that, for the learnings he had gained in joining the contest.  “The population
issues should be made known to all youth for them to act upon it” he added. As Champion, he was
awarded with a plaque and a cash prize worth P10,000.00.
 

The National Population Quiz (PopQuiz) is an annual event for high school students, conducted by the
Department of Education in coordination with the Commission on Population as part of the National
Festival of Talents (NFOT). This year, it carried the theme, “SDG and the Youth: Addressing Challenges
and Opportunities” and aimed to gauge the understanding of the in-school youth on issues related to
population, health and environment (PHE) that have direct impact on their growth and development.

Based on the Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFSS) 2013, there was an increasing
proportion of youth who have begun sexual activity before age 18, from 13 percent in 1994 to 23
percent in 2013 which exposes them to risks of reproduction and childbearing, as well as sexually
transmitted infections. What is more alarming is with the increasing levels of sexual activity, majority
of the youth of today do not feel they have adequate knowledge about sex. Only 27.4 per cent overall
say they have enough knowledge about sex; more among males (31%) than females (24%), more
among the older (37%) than the younger (21%) cohort. ### (POPCOM-NCR, February 26, 2016)
Truly the year 2020 is a formidable one!  The way COVID-19 has brought changes in every fabric of our society
is unimaginable and has pushed every one of us to be creative, inventive, and innovative in order to surpass
and survive the challenges brought about by this pandemic.

In the same manner, the government’s programs and services for the public are primed in the manner that even
in these very trying times the same could be savored and enjoyed by the people, especially those who are in the
disadvantageous and neglected segment of our society.

The Commission on Population and Development in its effort to maintain the momentum of success it garnered
in these past recent years in the delivery of its programs and services on Responsible Parenthood and Family
Planning, Adolescent Health and Development, and Population and Development to the public has devised
innovative means and ways to include employing and maximizing the platform of social media to continue its
advocacy, information dissemination, and service delivery to the needing public.  The said efforts even call
beyond every one of us to be in the front line, exposed to the risks and dangers of the unseen enemy in order to
ensure that services are delivered.

In these very challenging times when certainty of safety is unsure and the exposure to risk might come from
anywhere, I call upon my fellow population workers to remain calm, prospective, and vigilant so that we may
continue on to deliver as public servants what is expected from us.  More so, I call upon us to explore innovative
means of delivering services to the people without sacrificing the quality and benefits the people deserve.  We
might be restricted in some ways because we need to observe some health protocols and policy guidelines
which may be unique in each and every LGU. But such should not dampen our spirit because this is the hurdle
that we cannot avoid and these protocols and guidelines are established to provide for us the necessary safety
parameters.

Let us continue and move forward for there is no greater satisfaction than the service to our fellow brothers and

sisters.

Tunay na ang taong 2020 ay isang

mabigat! Ang paraan ng COVID-19 na
nagdala ng mga pagbabago sa bawat tela
ng ating lipunan ay hindi maiisip at
naitulak sa bawat isa sa atin na maging
malikhain, mapag-imbento, at makabago
upang malampasan at makaligtas sa mga
hamon na dulot ng pandemikong ito.
Sa parehong pamamaraan, ang mga
programa at serbisyo ng gobyerno para
sa publiko ay napauna sa paraang kahit
na sa mga pagsubok na panahong ito ay
pareho ang maaaliw at matatamasa ng mga
tao, lalo na ang mga nasa hindi maganda
at napapabayaang bahagi ng ating
lipunan.
Ang Komisyon sa Populasyon at Pag-unlad
sa pagsisikap na mapanatili ang
momentum ng tagumpay na nakakuha nito
sa mga nagdaang nakaraang taon sa
paghahatid ng mga programa at serbisyo
sa Responsible Parenthood and Family
Planning, Adolescent Health and
Development, at Populasyon at
Development sa publiko gumawa ng mga
makabagong pamamaraan at paraan upang
maisama ang paggamit at pag-maximize ng
platform ng social media upang
ipagpatuloy ang adbokasiya nito,
pagpapalaganap ng impormasyon, at
paghahatid ng serbisyo sa
nangangailangan ng publiko. Ang mga
nasabing pagsisikap ay tumawag pa sa
lampas sa bawat isa sa atin na maging
nasa harap na linya, nahantad sa mga
panganib at panganib ng hindi
nakikitang kaaway upang matiyak na
naihatid ang mga serbisyo.
Sa mga hamon na ito kung kailan ang
katiyakan ng kaligtasan ay hindi
sigurado at ang pagkakalantad sa
peligro ay maaaring magmula sa kahit
saan, Nanawagan ako sa aking mga kapwa
manggagawa na manatiling kalmado,
prospective, at mapagbantay upang
magpatuloy kaming maihatid bilang mga
pampublikong lingkod kung ano ang
inaasahan galing samin. Higit pa rito,
nanawagan ako sa amin na galugarin ang
mga makabagong paraan ng paghahatid ng
mga serbisyo sa mga tao nang hindi
isinakripisyo ang kalidad at mga
benepisyo na nararapat sa mga tao.
Maaaring mapigilan kami sa ilang mga
paraan dahil kailangan naming
obserbahan ang ilang mga protocol sa
kalusugan at patnubay sa patakaran na
maaaring natatangi sa bawat LGU. Ngunit
ang mga tulad ay hindi dapat magpahina
ng ating espiritu sapagkat ito ang
sagabal na hindi natin maiiwasan at ang
mga protokol at patnubay na ito ay
itinatag upang maibigay sa amin ang
kinakailangang mga parameter ng
kaligtasan.
Ipagpatuloy natin at sumulong tayo para
walang mas kasiyahan kaysa sa serbisyo
sa ating mga kapwa kapatid.
POPCOM VII shared to Central Visayas LGUs through the Population Officers and by posting
tarps in borders and checkpoints several Information Education Communication (IEC)
materials in line with reminders to stay safe and away from COVID-19, HIV-Prevention
bookmarks (especially for adolescents) and Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning
(RPFP) for couples to prevent unwanted pregnancies at this time of pre-vaccine period
(PVP). Some of these IECs were created by POPCOM VII Population Representative Carl
Dave B. Ang and participants of the 1st Regional Youth Creative Conference on ‘Makahimo
Ako!’ held last December, 2019.

Since April to date, the IECs were distributed as part of the so-called FP COVID Kits or the
Family Planning Crisis Operation thru Vital Information Dissemination Kits. Together with
these, tarps for the POPCOM Helpline were also disseminated together with packed meals
for front liners and powdered Vitamin C for senior citizens to select groups in the region
where vulnerability is most assessed as prevalent. The POPCOM Helpline is a referral
system adapted by POPCOM to assist clients who are in situations of concern primarily
relating to responsible parenthood and family planning, adolescent sexual health and
teenage pregnancy, STI, HIV and AIDS-prevention, and Gender-based Violence (GBV).
Helpline numbers include the POPCOM VII Regional Center at landline number: 236-4963
and cellphone numbers 0936-9726651 (FP), 0925-8774110 (AHD), and 0917-3079355
(GBV).

Distribution of 3-In-1 in FP COVID Kits

 This June, 2020 the POPCOM VII Team led by Asst. Regional Director Darlynn S. Remolino,
Isabel Alquizola (OIC-Technical Division) and Carl Dave B. Ang (POPCOM VII
Representative) distributed a total of 300 powdered Vitamin C for senior citizens in the tri-
cities of Metro Cebu: 100 in Apas, Cebu City; 100 in Banilad, Mandaue City; and 100 in
Basak, Lapulapu City. Likewise, FP commodities, such as pills and condoms were distributed
to couples and the HIV-prevention bookmarks were given to adolescents in these areas.
Given the constraint in budget, POPCOM VII tries to assess which areas most likely to be
reached in the tri-cities are given initial priority. But from January to May, these FP
commodities have been sent to the Population Officers in the region for distribution and the
FP COVID Kits were already included at the time of the enhanced community quarantine
(ECQ) up to now.
POPCOM RECOGNIZES EXCELLENT INDEPENDENT
FILMS ON ADOLESCENT HEALTH AND YOUTH
DEVELOPMENT
 

The Commission on Population (POPCOM) launched the first National Adolescent Health and Youth
Development (AHYD) Film Festival with the theme, “Ang pag-aaral ay para sa hinaharap, huwag ipagpalit sa
sandaling sarap”.

The Festival kicked-off with a 3-day workshop on Basic Filmmaking on November 23-25, 2015 at Privato Hotel,
Pasig City. It was attended by young filmmakers, 3rd and 4th year High School students from 17 regions in the
country. These students, already Regional Winners, competed in the National Level for the following categories:
Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Poster and Best Film. 

  

The Workshop was followed by an Awarding Ceremony on November 26, 2015 at Century Park Hotel, Manila.

 Region IV-A’s Positive bested the films from 17 other regions and was awarded Best Film. Region
III’s Kanlungan landed as 1st runner-up and Region X’s Orasan and Region IV-B’s Tanikala as 2nd runner-ups.

 
Aside from bagging the Best Film award, Positive also got the most number of special awards during the event:
Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best Screenplay.

Melnie Rose Urbina of Region IV-B’s Tanikala was hailed Best Actress while Ian Caballero of Region
X’s Orasan as Best Actor.

Meanwhile, Orasan was awarded the Viewers’ Choice Award for having the most number of Likes on
POPCOM’s and U4U’s Facebook pages and POPCOM’s Youtube channel. National Capital Region’s Tanikala
ng Kahapon and Region IV-A’s Positive were also awarded as 1st and 2nd runner up respectively for the said
award.

Orasan also won the Best Poster Award.

The films were carefully judged by film industry’s experts namely: Mark Anthony Bunda, Writer and Researcher
of ABS-CBN; Randy Cura, Cinematographer and Maria Hanna Jaber, Training and Linkages Coordinator of
Mulat-Pinoy/Kabataan News Network.

The criteria for judging are: Content (Narrative excellence, originality, creativity) – 40%; Technique
(Cinematography, editing) -30%; Scoring (music, dialogue) -20% and Relevance to the theme – 10%.
Started two years ago by POPCOM Region X, the AHYD Film Festival aims to create awareness on the status
of today’s adolescents and young people and provide a creative venue where they can express themselves on
issues like teenage pregnancy, sexuality and reproductive health. The Festival was created as one of the
advocacy activities of POPCOM for the AHYD program component of the Philippine Population Management
Program. 

POPCOM Executive Director Juan Antonio Perez III believes that this activity shall greatly contribute to
improvement and promotion of the total well-being of young people.

The Adolescent Health and Youth Development Program (AHYDP) is POPCOM’s

response to the growing awareness worldwide on the reproductive health issues and
concerns of the youth and their significant contribution to future population and health trends.

Projects conducted under the AHYDP include media outreach, skills training and
enhancement programs, peer counseling, and support to other youth programs and projects.

General Objectives:

Contribute to policies and programs that will assist government to attain population growth
and distribution consistent with economic activities and sustainable development.

Specific Objectives:

 Reduce the incidence of pregnancy among 15-19 age group;

 Reduce the incidence of early sexual involvement and early marriages;
 Reduce the incidence of other reproductive health problems that includes sexually
transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS, particularly the reduction of HIV positive
cases among young males; and
 Reduce the incidence of physical and sexual violence and other forms of violence
among the young people, particularly among married young females ages 15-24.

Program Strategies:

 Development and conduct of communication strategies (IEC, social mobilization, BCC)

to raise appreciation on population issues
 Enabling national, local and sectoral key stakeholders in integrating population
dimensions in planning and policy development;
 Advocacy and capacity-building for enacting, designing, implementing, and monitoring
population-related policies and programs at all levels
 Design and conduct of researches and studies and establishment of database
systems on POPDEV for planning and policy development
 Development of monitoring and evaluation tool for POPDEV integration in
development planning
  Enabling regional and local executives, planners, and other stakeholders in efficient
urban planning and management

Teens & COVID-19: Challenges and Opportunities

During the Outbreak

Social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19 can be especially hard for teens, who may feel cut
off from their friends. Many also face big letdowns as graduations, proms, sports seasons, college
visits and other long-planned events are cancelled or postponed. 

Here are a few ways you can help your teen through this difficult time.

Work together to create a new normal

Help your teen create a healthy and productive routine:

 Stick to a schedule that works with online learning. Set a time to wake up, exercise, shower,
get dressed, have breakfast, or whatever they need to start the “school day." If it helps, allow
your teen to sleep in a little later than normal. Like they would be in class, phones should be off
while doing schoolwork. Keep the TV off during school hours, too, and limit time watching the
news. Plan mini breaks and a 1-hour lunch break.

 Make dinner a transition time between the "school day" and the evening. Dinner is a great
time to gather the whole family together to talk and share a meal. Try fun conversation starters,
such as, “My favorite part of today was…" or "Today I am grateful for...". This may be the
time your family may choose to observe a quiet moment together. Help them keep their
usual sleep time routine so they are ready for learning each day.

 Allow "down time." It's normal for teens to crave more privacy from their family. Give them
space for some quiet time, creative time, music time, or to virtually hang out with friends. This
can help ease any feelings of being isolated from their friends or difficulties with routine-
change.

Communicate honestly & openly

 Share information about what is happening in a calm and factual way to help ease their
concerns about the virus. Discuss facts about COVID-19 and correct misinformation when you
hear it. Reinforce the basics, like the importance of frequent hand washing and avoiding
touching their face.

 Stress that staying home saves lives. Talk about how social distancing is an important way
they are helping slow the spread of the virus and protecting those most at risk. Have a strict “no
cheating" rule and stress that it is NOT okay to hang out with friends in person or play outdoor
sports like basketball and softball.

 Talk with your teen about about how they're feeling during the pandemic. Watch for signs
they are struggling and may need more support, or if they show any signs of increased suicide
risk. Don't hesitate to contact your pediatrician with concerns.  Read more here.

 Help your teen look forward by helping them shift away from what was lost and identify
ways to move on with plans and goals.

Stay safely connected

  Reach out virtually. Allow your teen to stay connected to friends and loved ones during social
distancing by phone, text, video chat, or social media. (Remind them to check their privacy
settings so they are not posting too much personal information online.) Playing games online
with friends can also be relaxing and enjoyable for your teen. But be sure to agree on screen
time during school days.

 Help others connect. Many teens have expertise in using technology and can teach parents or
grandparents how to video chat or use social media. This is also an opportunity for them to
bring you into their virtual world.

What about media use?

While limits are still important, it's understandable that under these unusual circumstances, your
teen's screen time will likely increase. Work together to come up with a plan that includes both online
and offline time. Our Family Media Plan tool can help. Allowing your teen to be a part of making a
media plan can help them stick to it.

Support family & community

 New responsibilities. Routines have changed, and your family may need extra help in caring
for younger children or keeping the house clean. Talk to your teen about ways they can play a
bigger role. For example, can they help plan or cook dinner? How about teaching their siblings
a new dance or fun game?

 Virtual guests. Ask your teen to help you come up with creative ways to stay connected with
family and friends on a regular basis. Try hosting a "virtual dinner" by setting up a laptop or
iPad at the table with the invited guests. Or use a video conferencing platform like Zoom to
have an online party where everyone can see each other.

 Family projects. Suggest your teen take the lead in projects that involve the entire family, like
organizing family photos or recreating the family's history. This is a great topic for calls to
grandparents, who may be able to describe challenging times in the past, and how the family
coped with stress.

 Declutter & donate. Encourage them to clean out their room, the basement, or declutter the
garage and prepare items to donate to charity.

 Volunteer within the community. Following social distancing and local regulations, suggest
your teen look online for local opportunities to serve. Show acts of kindness by making
someone's day better with a phone call, text, or social media post. Volunteer to help tutor
children of neighbors or friends online.

Risky times for risky behaviors

As schools move to online learning, teens may have more unscheduled time. This can leave them
more likely to experiment with risky behaviors. Be sure to talk with your teen about how this is an
especially important time to avoid vaping and smoking, for example. Experts warn these habits may
harm lung health and immune function, potentially increasing COVID-19 risk. 

Mind and body health

Help your teen find ways to keep their mind and body healthy, such as:

 Go for a walk or a run outside, either by themselves or as a family. Remind them of the social
distancing rules and to stay 6 feet away from others.

 Read a book or visit the library online where there are thousands of e-books, audiobooks, and
musical recordings. Research new hobbies or skills to learn.

 Do video workouts. Many can be found online, and some park districts are offering access to
virtual exercise classes, too.

 Watch movies or TV shows together as a family or virtually with friends.

 Create a video blog of life during the COVID-19 outbreak. Or, start a family journal where
each family member can take turns describing the day's happenings.
  Take a virtual tour of a museum, or walk through the Grand Canyon with Google Earth.
Challenge your teen to research 10 places they might like to visit someday and show you why.

 Get plenty of sleep!

More Information:
 Mental Health During COVID-19: Signs Your Teen May Need More Support
 Parenting in a Pandemic: Tips to Keep the Calm at Home
 Talking to Children about Tragedies and Other News Events
 Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19 (CDC)

Last Updated
 
6/5/2020
Source
 
American Academy of Pediatrics (Copyright © 2020)
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in
treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.