6th National Youth Parliament
National Youth Commission
1ST MINDANAO
ISLANDWIDE REPORT
(October 2006 – May 2007)
Prepared by
Atty. Romeo T. Cabarde Jr.
Convenor, Midnanao
National Confederation of Youth Advocates
Mindanao Youth Task Force on Reproductive Health, Gender and Sexuality
B/F Finster Buidling, Ateneo de Davao University
Jacinto Street, Davao City
8000 Philippines
Submitted to
Hon. Richard Alvin M. Nalupta
Chairperson and CEO
National Youth Commission
Quezon City, Philippines
June 2007
OVERVIEW OF THE REPORT
This report/document contains the accomplishment report of the Mindanao
Parliamentarians/Delegates to the 6th National Youth Parliament held in Bohol
last October 22-24, 2006, inclusive of the periods commencing from the
termination of the 6th NYP session until May of 2007. The following areas are
considered in this report: 1] re-entry plans; 2] gains and accomplishments; 3]
significant barriers and strategic changes undertaken; 4] lessons learned; 5]
recommendations and conclusion.
With the conclusion of the 6th NYP session on October 24, 2006, there
were more or less 60 parliamentarians from Mindanao trooping back to the six
(6) regions in the island armed with resolutions approved in the parliament
covering the six (6) committees on 1) Committee on ARH, 2) Committee on
Cyber Youth; 3) Committee on the Magna Carta of Students, 4) Committee on
Youth Migration, 5) Committee on Localization and Youth Networking, and 6)
Committee on SK Reforms.
A Mindanao Coordinator and Regional Convenors were also elected to
facilitate ease and order in the monitoring, lobbying and implementation of the
approved resolutions. At the same time, these elected officers became part of
the advocacy arm of the 6th NYP, the National Confederation of Youth
Advocates. The following are the officers for Mindanao:
Mindanao Coordinator – Romeo T. Cabarde Jr., Davao City
Region 9 Convenor – Marvin Delfin, Zamboanga City
Region 10 Convenor – Rhobert Maestre, Cagayan de Oro City
Region 11 Convenor – Rotchie Ravelo, San Isidro, Davao Oriental
Region 12 Convenor – Jaypee Carmen, M’lang, North Cotabato
CARAGA Convenror – Ricardo Domasig Jr., Butuan City
ARMM Convenor – Sadat Alfad, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
In the NCYA Training on Legislative Advocacy held in Baguio City, last
December 16-18, 2006, the Mindanao Islandwide Officers were present to
participate. A strategic plan was produced from the training to trailblaze
advocacy campaigns in Mindanao.
It is in this context that this report is crafted.
A. RE-ENTRY PLANS
The plan designed during the Baguio training for Mindanao reflects the desire
of the convenors/officers to specify the area of concentration from among the
different committees for each region. Generally, the advocacy campaign for
Mindanao is dubbed as “KASIKAS,” a local term for small concerted
movements indicating a beginning. The following were identified as areas of
concern for each region in Mindanao:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Region 9 – SK Reform and Magna Carta
Region 10 – Cyber Youth and Magna Carta
Region 11 – ARH and Migration
Region 12 – LYDC and Migration
ARMM – LYDC and ARH
CARAGA – ARH and Cyber Youth
This scheme was agreed upon on account of the impossibility for each region
to cover all six areas of concerns. Higher degree of success in the advocacy is
ensured if each region adopts a specific area of concern.
Part of the re-entry plan is a re-echo of the Baguio training by the Regional
Convenors. At the same time, this shall also serve as a monitoring scheme on
how far the lobbying of the resolutions has gone in the regions. This data
gathering procedure then became a major part of this report.
There was also a felt need to undertake an advocacy training for Mindanao
involving regional representatives who can potentially lobby for the passage of
the resolutions approved un the Parliament. Although the NYC has expressed
that Mindanao will also has its turn for the training, Luzon and Visayas shall take
precedence. Mindanao being at the tailend of the training schedule and
considering the urgency of the training for the regional representatives so that
they can have the basic skills to be used for the lobby works, the undersigned
Mindanao Coordinator took the liberty of sourcing funds to have the training at an
earlier schedule. Hence the training on advocacy specific to ARH (to address the
agenda of the funding agency) was undertaken last May 28-31, 2007 in Ponce
Suites, Davao City. This also served as the First Islandwide Meeting of the
Mindanao Coordinators where regional reports were presented.
B. GAINS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
While there may be obstacles along the ground works, several gains may be
gleaned from the reports evidencing that the Mindanao Parliamentarians have
managed to hurdle a few seemingly insurmountable barriers. Much can be
celebrated from the accomplishments of the Mindanao 6 th NYPians. Among them
are the following:
1.
Immediately upon returning from the 6th NYP, and armed with the
resolutions particularly on ARH, the undersigned Mindanao
Coordinator drafted a sample ordinance on ARH (see attached)
which was distributed among the regional convenors for modification
fit for their regional circumstances. The said draft ordinance tried to
2.
consolidate the contents of the three resolutions of the ARH
Committee.
It included among other provisions curriculum
integration, information and education and creation and
establishment of teen centers both in the schools and in the
barangays. A copy of this has been handed to the SK Federation
President of Davao City, April Marie Dayap for sponsorship as the
new council begins its sessions this June. Based on the initial
discussion, she has been very supportive of the proposed
ordianance.
A Mindanaowide Advocacy Training on Adolescent Sexual and
Reproductive Health and Rights (please see attached executive
summary) brought together 16 Mindanao Parliamentarians in the
hope of intensifying their skills in advocating ASRHR issues. This
was staged last May 28-31, 2007 at Ponce Suites, Davao City
through the generous support of Equitas International Center for
Human Rights Education, a human rights center based in Montreal
Canada. This endeavor was made possible through the partnership
of the Mindanao Youth Task Force and Mindanao Working Group on
Reproductive Health, Gender and Sexuality of the Social Research,
Training and Development Office of Ateneo de Davao University, the
Development of People’s Foundation, National Youth Commission –
Region XI and with the special participation of the UNFPA Southern
Mindanao Office.
B.1 REGION 9 – Zamboanga Peninsula
Region 9 report was presented by the regional convenor, Marvin F. Delfin,
R.N., R.M. For the region, there are nine (9) Parliamentarians who worked
together in various capacities to carry out the mandate of the approved 6th NYP
resolutions. The following are the gains of Region 9:
1. First Regional Meeting of NCYA at the NYC Office in Zamboanga City last
January 12, 2007. They discussed among others the proceedings of the
training in Baguio, identification of priority advocacies for each city or
province in the region, the UNFPA Youth Advisory Panel and other
matters. This meeting was made in the presence of the Region 9 NYC
Coordinator.
2. Advocacies and programs initiated in Isabela, Basilan:
i. January 18-19, 2007:Present the LYDC to the City Council of
Isabela and Municipal Council of Lamitan
ii. January 28, 2007: Coastal Clean-up with the Isabela City Junior
Jaycees
iii. February 2, 2007: Symposium on Fertility Awareness
iv. February 7, 2007City:Planning for the creation of Youth Center with
the Population Management and Development Office
v. February 15-16, 2007: Follow-up the LYDC in the City Council of
Isabela and Municipal Council of Lamitan
vi. February 21, 2007:Advocacy on Child and Youth Trafficking and
Internet Pornography
vii. March 6-7, 2007 : Symposium on Responsible Voting
viii. March 8, 2007 :Symposium on Solid Waste Management and
Coastal Resource Management
ix. March 21, 2007: 2nd phase planning for the creation of Youth
Center with the City Population Management & Development Office
and the Isabela City Junior Jaycees as a youth representative.
x. April 7, 2007: Sponsor the Entrepreneurship & Livelihood Seminar
together with Isabela City Junior Jaycees
xi. April 15, 2007: Present the LYDC to the Basilan Youth Leaders
during the Message Development Seminar
xii. May 2-8, 2007: Initiate the Streamer Campaign on Responsible
Voting
3. Advocacies and programs initiated in Zamboanga del Norte and Dipolog:
i. LYDC Advocacy has started to roll. The concept papers and the
proposed ordinance were already discussed with the local officials.
As agreed with the local officials, dialogues will commence on June
of 2007 to give way for the 2007 elections.
ii. TAYO Awards Campaign. Campaign for participation in the awards
began. Application forms and posters were distributed to schools
and colleges and the local information agencies. Invitations were
given to different organizations to visit the TAYP website for
update and more information.
iii. The 1st Zamboanga Peninsula ICT Youth Congress last February
2007. Participated in by about 400 participants, the event has
organized local PSITS Councils in the different IT schools in the
region. Speaker from JAVA and Sun were invited for the different
plenary sessions during the occasion. For details visit
www.rotaractdipolog.pinoysouthside.com
iv. Organizing the Youth for Good Governace Organization duly
recognized by DOLE and has networked with Bantan-ong
Dipolognon (BADI) and to KABANWAGAN, Youth organizations
that has the same aim for Good Governance.
v. SK Reform Bill Advocacy was held during the SK Provincial
Congress in Zamboanga del Norte held at the Dakak Park and
Beach Resort, Dapitan City last December 20-23, 2006. Phil
Adams Briones, NYPian was invited by the SK Federation
President in the person of BM Patrick Ismael Chan to present the
Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Bill prepared by the 6th National
Youth Parliament SK Reform Committee. This SK Provincial
Congress was participated by SK-Chairman and Councilors in
every municipality within the jurisdiction of Zamboanga del Norte
and during this SK Provincial Congress it was participated by about
200 SK Officials. After the presentation of the bill there are some
positive and negative feedbacks given by the participants but in an
overall view the presentation is successful.
vi. On LYDC Advocacy. On March 2007 Phil Adams Briones was able
to present the LYDC Resolution to one of the city councilors of
Dipolog in the person of Hon. Julius Napigquit and he turned-over
the same to Hon. Edwin Aldren Refugio the SK Fed. President
because the resolution is in line with youth programs and the SK is
the one who will handle it. He was able to talk with Hon. Refugio
regarding on the resolution and he assured to pass it and as of
now the status of the LYDC Resolution is pending inOn March 2007
he was able to present the LYDC Resolution in one of our city
councilors in the person of Hon. Julius Napigquit and he turn-over it
to Hon. Edwin Aldren Refugio the SK Fed. President because the
resolution is in line with youth programs and the SK is the one who
will handle it.
vii. And he was able also to talk with Hon. Edwin regarding on the
resolution and he assure it to pass and as of now the status of the
LYDC Resolution is now on the process pending in the city council.
4. Advocacies and programs initiated in Zamboanga City:
i. A Magna Carta for Students Rights was sponsored by Hon. Renee
Lynn Cabañero and supported by Neysa Fatima Laja, both
NYPians to the WMSU Student Givernment. This was approved
and signed by the Senators and University Student Regent of
WMSU. It is also calendared as part of the agenda for the next
Board of Regents Meeting.
ii. LYDC Advocacy in Zamboanga City. This was lobbied through
Hon. John M. Dalipe- SK City President (2004). The ordinance is
for 2nd reading now. There is already an appointment meeting with
Hon. Kim Elago in preparation for the Committee hearing.
iii. On SK Reform Bill. There was an information dissemination on SKReform Bill during the Sangguniang Kabataan General Assembly
held at Perlita Hotel last Feb. 4, 2007.
B.2 Region 12 – Central Mindanao
Central Mindanao is under the leadership of Jaypee Carmen with the
assistance of Youth Migration Committee Chairperson Carlo Apiado and nine
(9) other NYPians. There were two specific advocacy areas on which Region
12 concentrated: LYDC and ARH. In general Region 12 has the following
objectives for their advocacy in the region: Massive Information, Education
Campaign (I.E.C.) on Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH), Full LGU
support to Localization of Youth Development Council and ARH Programs,
Active Youth Involvement and Committed and dedicated youth Advocates.
In line with these, the following reflects the accomplishments in Central
Mindanao:
1. ARH Caravan in High Schools and Colleges. ARH symposia were held in
the following schools Sultan Kudarat: Isulan National High School,
Laguilayan National High School, and Bambad National High School. For
North Cotabato, the following schools had an ARH symposia: Southern
Baptist College, Central Mindanao Computer School, St. Luke’s Institute
of Technology, Magpet National High School, M’lang National High
School, Lika High School, and Mariano Untal Memorial High School.
2. NCYA Cotabato in cooperation with M’lang Youth Organization and
Makilala Youth Advocates for Development with the financial assistance of
the Sangguniang Kabataan conducted ARH Camps in various barangays.
a. Poblacion, Makilala, Cotabato
November 24 -26, 2006
b. Lepaga, M’lang, Cotabato
May 17-19, 2007
c. Bagontapay M’lang, Cotabato
May 18 – 21, 2007
d. Poblacion A, M’lang Cotabato
January 19-21, 2007
3. The following Teen Centers were established: Makilala Teen Center,
Kidapawan City Teen Center and Pres. Roxas Teen Center. A schoolbased teen center was also established at Kalamansig National High
School known as KNHS Teen Center.
4. Various youth organizations were also organized to promote ARH
concerns. These organizations were organized for
the effective
implementation of Adolescents Reproductive Health Programs and to
manage the newly established Teen Centers. The following are:
Kidapawan Youth Organization, Isulan Leaders Advocate, and Isulan
Rainbow Association.
5. An LYDC Ordinance was passed and another is pending.
a. “CREATING MUNICIPAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF
THE MUNICIPALITY OF M’LANG, PROVINCE OF COTABATO
AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF”
Ordinance No. 1 Series of 2007
Author: Hon. Jaypee B. Carmen, SKMF President
Co-author: Hon. Estrella G. Boteros
b. Creating the Local Youth Development Council of the Municipality
of Isulan, Province of Sultan Kudarat; Author: Hon. Carlo Apiado,
SKMF President. This is pending still.
6. Creation of confederation of youth leaders/organizations.
The
Confederation of youth leaders is organized for proper coordination and
utilization of expertise and resources for effective implementation of youth
related activities, projects and programs. This is being led by the Isulan
Leaders Advocates.
B.3 Region XIII – CARAGA
CARAGA Region is headed by Ricardo Domasig being the regional
coordinator. He is assisted by six (6) other NYPians.
1. Advocacy Program of ARH Committee in Surigao City. A Symposium
on ARH was held last December 9, 2006 at Saint Paul University –
Surigao Campus. It was attended by more than 300 students.
2. Advocacy Program of SK Reform Committee in Surigao City. The SK
Reform Bill drafted at the 6th NYP was presented during the SK
Assessment and Planning Workshop last November 26, 2006 with 116
SK officials attending at City Function Room, New City Hall Building,
Surigao City.
3. The lobbying for the creation of barangay teen centers started to roll
with a copy of the resolutions drafted at the 6 th NYP having been
presented to the local officials.
(Note: No reports were prepared from Regions 10, 11, and ARMM)
C. SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS AND STRATEGIC CHANGES
Getting the advocacy work started has proven to be difficult in most parts
of Mindanao. Given the socio-political and ethico-religious divides that define its
landscapes, Mindanao has even greater challenges to face in promoting genuine
youth participation in governance. However, the hurdles along the way have
taught many of the NYPians the values of flexibility, reflectivity, and creativity as
they took alternative paths enroute to the accomplishment of their desired goals.
The barriers and strategic changes undertaken may be summarized as follows:
SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS
Red tapes and barangay beaurocracy.
Getting the resolutions understood by
local officials requires a multi-layered
protocol that sometimes discouraged
STRATEGIC CHANGES
Perseverance and patience has proven
to be a good antidote to this attitude of
the local officials. Persistence in some
ways paid off. This is due to the pure
the parliamentarians. In most cases, if
the local officials are not interested with
the proposals from the NYPians, they
intentionally derail the procedure by
referring the NYPians to various
offices, one on top of the other. There
apparently is a deliberate attempt to
exhaust the parliamentarians.
Indifference, apathy, lack of interest,
bias, misconception, and prejudice of
some local officials to the issues being
lobbied by the parliamentarians. This
is due to the fact that they have other
issues to take or they do not
understand the issues of the youth at
all.
There is also a constraint on the part of
some NYPians. On one hand, only a
few continued with their commitment
for the advocacy while a significant
number drifted away. Most of them are
students who got tied with their
scholastic requirements. Hence, their
inability to be manifestly present in the
advocacy works. On the other hand,
there is a need to enhance the
knowledge
and
skill
of
some
parliamentarians on specific issues that
are being promoted through the
resolutions. A few do not really have a
good grasp of the issues and for this
reason, they have difficulty explaining
to the local officials what the
resolutions are all about. An example
of this is on ARH issues.
Multi-tasking of the parliamentarians. It
is undeniable that most of the
parliamentarians wear various hats.
They are also teachers, students, NGO
workers, researchers, government
employees, sons and daughters and
commitment of the NYPians to
concretize the approve resolutions in
the 6th NYP.
Lack of understanding on the part of
the
local
officials
became
an
opportunity to educate them on the
issues of the youth.
With gentle
persuasion, some understood and
allies were found. Meanwhile, other
options were taken for those who really
did not support the proposals of the
parliamentarians, that is, by building on
old allies/networks within the local
councils
and
having
them
as
supporters to convince and persuade
the “others.”
Keeping the other members updated
through e-groups made them feel
involved. At least they can share some
ideas through the e-mails where there
can be virtual connections. In this
case, the expertise of those who have
more time to devote for the advocacy
has been tapped more than what is
expected.
Meanwhile, with the need to increase
the knowledge of the parliamentarians
on specific issues, the e-group was
also instrumental for some exchanges
and sharing of resources and
materials. It is also in this light that the
ASRHR Advocacy Training was held,
considering the sensitivity of the issues
in includes.
Both in personal and professional
capacities, the NYP concerns are
always integrated because it is not
viewed as a totally independent and
autonomous concern but it cuts across
other disciplines of work as well. It can
many others. The advocacy work is an
added load to take which sometimes
increases the burden that most must
take. This raises a question of priority.
Where does NYP fall in the list of
priorities?
A few regional coordinators are remiss
of their reportorial duties. Despite the
several reminders and requests, no
reports have been submitted. Poor
access to internet has been one of the
leading causes.
One of the biggest challenges that the
Mindanao Parliamentarians face is the
lack of resources. Being far from the
national office, the needs in this part of
the
archipelago
are
sometimes
neglected.
Too often, Mindanao
comes at the tail end of the list in
programming
and
prioritization.
Starting an advocacy campaign
requires a resource.
While the
advocacy has a double advantage of
helping the local communities and the
NYC, it is imperative that the national
office gives support to local initiatives
as the success of the advocacy will
always benefit the NYC, both its name
and its administration.
Access to facilitated mentorship is
lacking in Mindanao.
There are
national legislations that must be
lobbied before the Philippine Congress.
Considering its scope that is national,
the Mindanao Parliamentarians also
need to be exposed on a hands-on
mentorship particularly lobbying before
the congress. It appears that majority
of those who get the chance are the
parliamentarians from NCR.
be part of an advocacy as a student,
teacher, NGO worker, etc. In this case,
it does not have to be treated as an
added burden but a value added to
one’s work not to mention that it is the
commitment that keeps everyone doing
what is expected of them.
Recommendation: A memo from the
NCYA President must be made to
require regional convenors to submit
reports to the Islandwide Coordinator.
Mobilizing the resources in the local
level became a very helpful tool in the
survival of Mindanao Parliamentarians.
Organizational funds are used and
partners were developed to cut costs.
Funds were also raised to address the
need of further skills enhancement to
become better advocates.
Project
proposal were developed to sustain the
initiatives in Mindanao, a task that the
NYC is supposed to undertake since
the NYP is its major component.
Mindanao Parliamentarians managed
to learn the art on their own. Feeling
abandoned
generally
does
not
generate good results.
D. LESSONS LEARNED
The experiences of the Mindanao NYPians have generated some salient
insights that may be of use for future planning, programming and mobilizations.
Among the lessons are:
 Young people tend to be very cynical if a lot of barriers would come along
the way, one of which is the lack of resources. It heightens the sense of
futility in their efforts to advocate genuine changes. On the other hand,
they still have a strong sense of appeal to ideals, principles and qualitative
things capitalizing so much on their commitment and desire for genuine
and truthful youth participation in governance.
 With a few gains, it is clear that young people can be a major player in
social transformation. Tapping their energies properly could have a fruitful
effect to communities that may come in multiples and multitude. With their
great sense of idealism, local policies that they pursue can truly address
the needs of the people particularly the young.
 Young adults quest, thirst, and hunger for the right, necessary,
wholesome, and sufficient information and skills to be better advocates.
There is still a need to heighten the awareness and the skills especially in
the areas of ARH, SK Reform, Cyber Youth and Youth Migration.
 The young parliamentarians seek validation of their experiences and long
to find venues for sharing and processing of their experiences. Having
people listening to their success stories and struggles can be a very good
means of self affirmation and assurance that they are doing the right thing.
With this, their sense of commitment becomes deeper.
 Their experiences in advocacy has also transformed them as persons.
From their life-transforming experiences derived from the lobby works they
move from heightened/elevated consciousness (and stirred conscience) to
real action-engagements. This has to be sustained.
 IN lobbying, we should not meet the sensitive issues head on, especially
when they border on culture and religion.
E. RECOMMENDATIONS
Given the above narratives, the following recommendations are proffered:
 Pursue the intention to strengthen and deepen the activities of the regions
rather than embark on new issues and programs. Capitalize on what has
been started and firm up the lobbying to ensure success. Continue with
the regional specification of advocacy issues.
 Pursue the facilitated mentoring scheme. Mindanao Parliamentarians
must also benefit from the hands-on tutelage in the national level.
 There is a need also to firm up the plans for local partnerships in matters
of advocacy-related activities.
 There is prudence in allocating a small sum (aside from the non-monetary
form of assistance extended) that will help defray some expenses—at the
inception stage—for initiatives launched or undertaken by the regional
members in their respective institutions/areas.
 A Mindanao General Assembly must be staged to bring together all 6 th
NYPians for sharing of experiences and learning from each other.
F. CONCLUSION
While so much has been accomplished, so much is yet to be done. In the
initial years of lobby works, we have found out that there are allies who gave
us strengths – the wind beneath our wings. Now as we move to end our
terms as 6th NYPians, we can say that we have never been idle in Mindanao.
We have done a great share in propagating youth empowerment and we will
sustain the energy to do more, give more and be more.
ANNEXES
A. ARH ORDINANCE
B. ASRHR ADVOCACY TRAINING EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
C. REGIONAL REPORTS POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS
A.
Republic of the Philippines
CITY OF DAVAO
Sangguniang Panglunsod
Proposed Ordinance No. ____
AN
ORDINANCE
PROVIDING
FOR
AN
INTEGRATED
AND
COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK AND POLICY ON ADOLESCENT
REPRODUCTIVE AND SEXUAL HEALTH AND RIGHTS (ASRHR),
RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD, YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, CREATING AN
INTER-AGENCY ADOLESCENT REPRODUCTIVE AND SEXUAL HEALTH
AND RIGHTS MANAGEMENT COUNCIL , APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Sangguniang Panglunsod of Davao City in a session
assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Davao Adolescent
Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights Ordinance of 2006".
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The City of Davao shall adopt an integrated
and comprehensive framework and policy on adolescent reproductive and sexual
health and rights, responsible parenthood, effective population management and
sustainable human development that values the dignity of every adolescent and
affords full protection to young people's rights. These rights include the right to
equality and equity, the right to development, the right to reproductive health, the
right to education, and the right to choose and make independent decisions on
the number, spacing and timing of their children in accordance with one's
religious convictions, cultural beliefs and the demands of responsible
parenthood.
The City of Davao shall uphold the right of the young people and their
organizations to effective and reasonable participation in the formulation,
planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the declared policy as its
direct and ultimate beneficiaries.
This policy is anchored on the rationale that sustainable human development is
better assured with a manageable population of healthy, educated and
productive citizens.
The City of Davao likewise guarantees universal access to safe, affordable and
quality reproductive health care services, methods, devices and relevant
information thereon even as it prioritizes the needs of women and adolescents,
among other underprivileged sectors.
This framework is in accordance with Article XIV, Sec. 2.1 of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution which states that “The State shall establish, maintain, and support a
complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of
the people and society;” and Article II Section 15 of the same constitution
stipulates that the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the
people and instill health consciousness among them.
This ordinance is the commitment of the City of Davao to the numerous
international documents to which the Philippines is a signatory which includes
among others the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR, 1948),
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW, 1979), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC, 1989),
International Conference on Population and Development – Program of Action
(ICPD-POA, 1994), Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA, 1995).
SEC. 3. Fundamental Principles. - This Ordinance declares the following as
basic guiding principles:
a. Since the youth is the principal asset of every country, effective
reproductive health care information and services must be given primacy
to ensure that they have access to affordable, accurate, friendly and
quality-filled education and services to promote responsible parenting;
b. Freedom of choice, which is central to the exercise of any right, must be
fully guaranteed as indivisible, inalienable, interdependent and universal;
c. While the number and spacing of children are left to the sound judgment
of parents and couples based on their personal conviction and religious
beliefs, such concerned parents and couples, including unmarried
individuals, should be afforded free and full access to relevant, adequate
and enlightening information on reproductive health and human sexuality
and should be guided by qualified government workers and professional
private practitioners;
d. Reproductive health must be a concern of the Local Government Unit of
Davao City;
e. Protection and promotion of gender equality, women's rights and the rights
of the youth are essential to the fulfillment of reproductive health rights;
f. Development is a multi-faceted process that calls for the coordination and
integration of policies, plans, programs and projects that seek to uplift the
quality of life of the people, more particularly the poor, the needy and the
marginalized;
g. Active participation by and thorough consultation with concerned nongovernment (NGO) groups, communities and people's organizations are
imperative to ensure that basic policies, plans, programs and projects
address the priority needs of beneficiaries;
h. While the full range of family planning methods, techniques and devices
shall be made available to couples, abortion shall remain to be penalized
under the Revised Penal Code and relevant jurisprudence;
i. While nothing in this ordinance infringes the law on abortion, the
government shall ensure that women seeking care for post-abortion
complications shall be treated and counseled in a humane, nonjudgmental and compassionate manner;
j. Every year, millions of Filipino youth are at risk of pregnancy, abortion,
STI’s, sexual abuse, gender discrimination, trafficking and other risk
behaviors that have an impact on their reproductive and sexual health.
Hence, the government commits itself to a vigorous campaign to educate
the youth about their ASRHR through integration of such modules in both
formal and informal education at the same time mobilize resources to train
and provide capacity-building seminars to teachers, barangay health
workers, Sangguniang Kabataan and other stakeholders;
k. One fundamental right of the youth is the right to be informed of their
sexuality and problems arising on it and to address as well as resolving
such problems;
l. Acknowledging the need to further increase awareness and empower the
Filipino youth to exercise their sexual and reproductive health and rights,
the government must therefore ensure that no person shall be deprived of
their access to information and education to sexual and reproductive
health, rights and needs, on account of age, sexual orientation and gender
identity, marital status, religion, ethnicity or mental and physical disability.
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Ordinance, the following
terms shall be defined as follows:
a. Adolescent/Youth/Young People – adolescents are defined as persons
in 10-19 years age group, while the youth is defined as those in the 15-24
age group. However, the two overlapping groups are combined into one
entity and that is the “young people” covering the age range 10-24 years
old;
b. Reproductive Health - the state of complete physical, mental and social
well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all
matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and
processes. This implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe
sex life, that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to
decide if, when and how often to do so, provided that these are not
against the law. This further implies that women and men attain equal
relationships in matters related to sexual relations and reproduction;
c. Sexual Health - the capacity to enjoy and control sexual and reproductive
behavior in accordance with a social and personal ethics, freedom from
fear, shame and guilt, false belief which inhibit sexual responses and
impair sociosexual relationships, as well as freedom from organic
disorders, disease and deficiencies that interfere with sexual and
reproductive functions;
d. Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights - Adolescent
Reproductive Health (ARH) is a state of an Adolescent’s complete
physical, mental, and social well being and not merely the absence of
infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its
functions and processes. ARH therefore implies that Adolescents are able
to have a satisfying and safe sex life and that Adolescents have the
capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if and when and how
often to do so. Implicit in this condition is the right of Adolescents to be
informed and to have access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable
methods of family planning of their choice. It also includes sexual health,
the purpose of which is the enhancement of life and personal relations,
and not merely counseling and care related to reproductive and sexually
transmitted diseases;
e. Reproductive Health Care - Constellation of methods, techniques and
services that contribute to ASRH and well-being which includes among
others preventing and solving ASRH problems. The elements of
reproductive health care include:
1. Maternal, infant and child health and nutrition;
2. Family planning information and services;
3. Prevention of abortion and management of post-abortion
complications;
4. Adolescent and youth health;
5. Prevention and management of reproductive tract infections (RTIs),
HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmittable infections (STIs);
6. Elimination of violence against women;
7. Education and counseling on sexuality and sexual and reproductive
health;
8. Treatment of breast and reproductive tract cancers and other
gynecological conditions;
9. Male involvement and participation in reproductive health; and
10. Prevention and treatment of infertility and sexual dysfunction;
f. Responsible Parenthood - the will, ability, and commitment of parents to
respond to the needs and aspirations of the family and children more
particularly through family planning at the same time the capacity of the
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
youth to make wise and informed decisions in all matters relating to their
reproductive functions and processes;
Population Management - a program that aims to: (a) encourage the
limitation of the number of children to an affordable level depending on the
capacity and means of the family; (b) attain an optimum fertility rate vis-aˆvis equitable allocation and utilization of resources; (c) realize a balanced
spatial distribution of the population by discouraging migration to urban
centers and decongesting thickly populated areas; (d) promote the
effective partnership among the local government units, non governmental
organizations and the private sector in the design, implementation,
coordination, integration, monitoring and evaluation of people-centered
programs on population, development and environment; and (e) conduct
studies on and provide incentives for the deceleration of population
growth;
Family Planning - a program which enables couples and individuals to
decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children
and to have the information and means to carry out their decisions, and to
have informed choice and access to a full range of safe and effective
family planning methods, techniques and devices, excluding abortion
which is a crime;
Gender Equality - the absence of discrimination on the basis of a
person's sex or gender orientation, in opportunities, allocation of resources
and benefits, and access to services;
Gender Equity - fairness and justice in the distribution of benefits and
responsibilities between women and men, and often requires womenspecific projects and programs to eliminate existing inequalities, inequities,
policies and practices unfavorable to women;
Adolescent Sexuality –encompasses sexual knowledge, beliefs,
attitudes, values and behaviors of individuals. Its various dimensions
include anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of the sexual response
system; identity, orientation, roles and personality and thoughts, feelings,
and relationships which are influenced by ethical, spiritual, cultural and
moral concerns;
Sexuality Education - is the process of acquiring complete, accurate and
relevant information in all matters relating to the reproductive system, its
functions and processes and human sexuality; and forming attitudes and
beliefs about sex, sexual identity, interpersonal relationships, affection,
intimacy and gender roles. It also includes developing the necessary skills
to be able to distinguish between facts and myths on sex and sexuality;
and critically evaluate and discuss the moral, religious, social and cultural
dimensions of related sensitive issues;
Development - is a multi-dimensional process involving major changes in
social structures, popular attitudes, and national institutions as well as the
acceleration of economic growth, the reduction of inequality and the
eradication of widespread poverty;
n. Sustainable Human Development - the totality of the process of
expanding human choices by enabling people to enjoy long, healthy and
productive lives, affording them access to resources needed for a decent
standard of living and assuring continuity and acceleration of development
by achieving a balance between and among manageable population,
adequate resources and healthy environment;
SEC 5. Sexual and Reproductive Bill of Rights – The Adolescents shall be
entitled to the following reproductive and sexual rights, among others:
a. Right to accessible, accurate, affordable and sensitive reproductive
health information and education;
b. Right to accessible, adequate, appropriate, affordable and gendersensitive and youth-friendly health care and reproductive health
services;
c. Right to make informed and responsible decisions free from external
pressure, dictates and coercion, in all matters pertaining to
reproductive functions and processes;
d. Right to be involved and participate fully at all levels of planning,
implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of gender sensitive and
culture-sensitive reproductive health programs
e. Right to bear or not to bear children, and to be free to decide if, when,
how many and how often to have children;
f. Right to have a safe pregnancy and to have access to services and
information to ensure such safety;
g. Right to express one’s sexuality and freedom to express one’s sexual
orientation;
h. Right to organize to combat violence and other forms of oppression;
i. Right to marry or not to marry and to choose whom to marry
j. Right to leave a violent relationship;
k. Right to be free from abuse, violence, threat or intimidation both inside
the home and in the community
l. Right to be protected from sexually transmitted diseases and other
forms of ill health;
m. Right to an ethical post abortion complications management and care;
n. Right to confidentiality and to be treated with utmost respect.
SEC. 6. Inter-Agency Management Council on Adolescent Reproductive
and Sexual Health and Rights (IAMC-ARaSHaR). Pursuant to the herein
declared policy, there is hereby constituted within thirty (30) days from the
effectivity of this ordinance a multi-agency body to be known as Inter-Agency
Management Council on Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health and
Rights, hereinafter referred to as the Council. It shall be composed of twenty
three (23) members with the Regional Director of the Department of Health as
Chairperson and the Regional Director of the National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA) and the Federation President of the Sangguniang
Kabataan (SK) as Co-Chairpersons and the following as members:
a. Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD)
b. Coordinator of the City Social Service and Development Office (CSSDO)
c. Regional Director of the Department of Education (DepEd)
d. Regional Director of the Department of Labor (DOLE)]
e. Regional Director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG)
f. Regional Director of the Commission on Population (PopCom)
g. Regional Representative of the National Youth Commission (NYC)
h. Regional Director of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
i. Coordinator of the City Social Hygiene Clinic
j. President of the Association of Barangay Captains
k. Chairperson of the Davao Association of Colleges and Schools (DACS)
l. Three (3) representatives from SK Federation and to be appointed by the
City Mayor
m. Three (3) representatives from youth and faith-based organizations who
shall be appointed by the City Mayor from a list of nominees
independently selected by the concerned faith-based organizations
n. Three (3) representatives from non-government organizations: one (1)
representative each from the women, youth and health sectors who have
distinguished themselves in the promotion of reproductive health, human
development and/or population management who shall be appointed by
the City Mayor from a list of nominees independently selected by the
concerned NGOs.
As much as practicable, the heads of agencies constituting the Council shall
attend personally the meetings of the Council. Should a representative be
designated, he/she shall have a rank not lower than an assistant or its
equivalent. Separate staff on reproductive health, human development and
population management in charge of the implementation of this ordinance shall
be constituted by the member departments and offices within their respective
agencies. The council may create such sub-committees it may deem necessary
for purposes of implementing this ordinance.
SEC. 6. Functions of the Council. - As the central advisory, planning and
formulating body of the comprehensive and integrated policy on adolescent
reproductive and sexual health and rights relative to human development and
population management, the Council shall have the following functions:
a. To integrate on a continuing basis the interrelated adolescent reproductive
health, human development and population management agenda into
policy, taking into account the inter-faith and the tri-people concerns;
b. To provide the mechanism to ensure active and full participation of the
private sector and the citizenry especially the youth sector through their
organizations in the planning and implementation of reproductive health
care, population and development programs and projects;
c. To ensure people's access to quality and affordable reproductive health
goods and services;
d. To facilitate the involvement and participation of non-government
organizations and the private sector in reproductive health care service
delivery and in the production, distribution and delivery of quality
reproductive health and family planning supplies and commodities to
make them accessible and affordable to ordinary citizens;
e. To ensure the full implementation of the Reproductive Health Care
Program with the following components:
a. Reproductive and sexual health and rights education including but
not limited to counseling on the full range of legal and medicallysafe family planning methods;
b. Maternal, peri-natal and post-natal education, care and services;
c. Promotion of male involvement, participation and responsibility in
reproductive health as well as other reproductive health concerns of
men;
d. Development of ASRHR modules for adolescents containing core
messages of responsible parenthood, informed consent, prevention
of STI’s/HIV/AIDS, prevention of unplanned pregnancy, respect for
sexual minorities, and other similar contents, appropriate for both
in-school and out-of-school youth and in accordance with their
cultural, moral, religious and social convictions;
e. Prevention of abortion and management of post-abortion
complications; and
f. Provision of information and services addressing the reproductive
health needs of the poor, young women in prostitution, differentlyabled youth, and women and children in war crisis situations.
f. To ensure that reproductive health services are delivered with a full range
of supplies, facilities and equipment and that service providers are
adequately trained for reproductive health care;
g. To recommend the enactment of legislation and adoption of executive
measures that will strengthen and enhance the integrated policy on
reproductive health, population and development;
h. To ensure a massive and sustained information drive on responsible
parenthood and on all methods and techniques to prevent unwanted,
unplanned and mistimed pregnancies, it shall release information bulletins
on the same for circulation to all local governmental agencies and
instrumentalities, non-government organizations and the private sector,
schools, public and private libraries, tri-media outlets, workplaces,
hospitals and concerned health institutions;
i.
To design training, seminars and other capacity building sessions for
health service providers, teachers, barangay health workers, and other
stakeholders to effectively integrate ASRHR in the curriculum, in
community-based programs, and in service delivery;
j. To strengthen the capacities of health regulatory agencies to ensure safe,
high-quality, accessible, and affordable reproductive health services and
commodities with the concurrent strengthening and enforcement of
regulatory mandates and mechanisms;
k. To hire and appoint personnel of the Secretariat and the Executive
Director; and
l. To perform such other functions necessary to attain the purposes of this
Ordinance.
SEC 7. Appropriations and Resource Allocation - Ten percent (10%) of
the Gender and Development (GAD) budget of all government departments,
agencies, bureaus and offices funded in the annual General Appropriations Act in
accordance with Republic Act No.7192 (Women in Development and Nationbuilding Act) and Executive Order No. 273 (Philippine Plan for Gender
Responsive Development, 1995-2025) shall be allocated and utilized to support
the operations of the Council. Such additional sums as may be necessary for the
effective implementation of this ordinance shall be included in the subsequent
Local Appropriations Ordinance.
Youth centers as prescribed in this ordinance may be set up and its
operations and staff compensation may also be borne from the SK Funds. 10%
of the SK General Funds shall be set aside in every barangay for this purpose.
SEC. 8. Secretariat. - The Council shall organize a Secretariat as its support and
technical staff to be headed by an Executive Director, and shall determine their
respective compensation, subject to applicable civil service laws, rules and
regulations with a view of ensuring a competent and efficient secretariat:
Provided, That nominees of non-government organizations shall be accorded
preferential employment to ensure their active involvement and participation in all
activities of the Council.
SEC. 9. Qualifications, Powers, Functions and Duties of the Executive
Director. - The Executive Director of the Secretariat shall have adequate
experience in adolescent reproductive health, sustainable human development,
youth empowerment and responsible parenthood and shall have the following
powers, functions and duties:
1. Execute, implement and enforce the policies, programs, projects, rules
and regulations of the Council;
2. Direct and supervise the operations of the council and internal and
externatl affairs of the Secretariat;
3. Establish the internal organization and administrative procedures of the
Secretariat, recommend to the Council the appointment of the necessary
administrative and subordinate personnel; and
4. Exercise such other powers and functions and perform such duties as are
not specifically lodged in the Council and those which the Council orders
as it may deem necessary.
SEC. 10. Youth Centers. There shall be in every barangay a youth/teen center
to be established by the respective Sangguniang Kabataan in cooperation with
the Barangay Health Centers which shall directly ensure the delivery of ASRHR
information and services to the beneficiaries as guaranteed in this ordinance.
This shall be supervised by a personnel trained on adolescent reproductive and
sexual health and rights ably assisted by the SK Committee on Health in every
barangay. Should there be an existing youth center already in the barangay, the
same shall be tapped and strengthened. However, should there be none, the
barangay health center and the SK Committee on Health shall jointly open a
youth center/desk within the barangay health center. Among the programs and
services that shall be provided by the youth/teen centers are as follows:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Develop an Information, Education Communication (IEC) materials on
ASRHR which is accessible to the youth provided, counseling must be
first availed of;
Delivery of affordable, youth-friendly, culture-sensitive, and gender
sensitive services which includes but not limited to the following: peer
counseling, fertility management techniques, family planning, papsmear,
pre-natal exams, STI counseling, diagnosis and intervention (should the
resources allow) and other similar services;
Establish a volunteer pool of peer counselors and peer educators to
effectively deliver its ASRHR information and services to the
beneficiaries;
Launch an ASRHR Barangay Caravan to visit their respective puroks for
purposes of providing an informal education on ASRHR education to the
out-of-school-youth. Provided, that reproductive health and sexuality
education shall be conducted by competent and adequately trained
persons preferably reproductive health care providers. Provided, further,
that a wide range of family planning methods, both natural/traditional
and modern, shall be taught.; and
Keep a baseline data on ASRHR concerns and issues of the youth in the
barangay.
SEC. 11. Mandatory Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education. Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education in an age-appropriate manner shall
be taught by adequately trained teachers starting from Grade 5 up to Fourth Year
High School and even in the tertiary levels of education. Reproductive Health and
Sexuality Education shall commence at the start of the school year immediately
following one year from the effectivity of this Ordinance. The Council shall
formulate the Sexuality Education curriculum, which shall be common to both
public and private schools, based on the following subjects and standards:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Gender Sensitivity and Gender Equality and Equity;
Violence Against Women and Children;
Manifestations of Gender Bias;
Adolescent Sexuality and Human Sexuality;
Sexuality and Spirituality;
Reproductive and sexual health and rights;
Reproductive health care and services;
Attitudes, beliefs and values on sexual development, sexual behavior
and sexual health;
i. Proscription, hazards and prevention of abortion and management of
post-abortion complications;
j. Responsible Parenthood;
k. Natural and modern family planning to prevent unwanted, unplanned
and mistimed pregnancies;
l. Use and application of natural family planning methods;
m. Use and application of modern contraceptive devices;
n. Abstinence before marriage;
o. Prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other STIs/STDs, Prostate
Cancer, Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer and other gynecological
disorders;
p. Safe sex;
q. International and Domestic Instruments, Laws and Policies on ASRHR;
and
r. Maternal, Peri-Natal and Post-Natal Education, Care and Services.
SEC. 11. Capability Building of Barangay Health Workers. - Barangay Health
Workers shall undergo retraining on the delivery of reproductive health care
information and services and shall receive a 10% increase in honoraria upon
successful completion of training.
SEC. 12. Capability Building of Teachers - Teachers both in public and private
schools who shall undertake the integration of ASRHR in school curriculum shall
undergo a training on ASRHR education and their attendance shall be given
weight in their rank and promotion merit system upon successful completion of
the training.
SEC. 13. Capability Building of Volunteer Peer Educators and Counselors
– Volunteers to constitute the pool of peer educators and counselors for the
youth/teen centers shall undergo a training on ASRHR education and counseling
skills to effectively ensure the dissemination of information and services on
ASRHR. The volunteers shall be trained free of charge and shall be conducted
at least twice a year. Other related training shall also be undertaken to enhance
the knowledge and skills of the peer volunteers.
SEC. 14. Anti-Discrimination Policy. No youth shall be deprived of access to
ASRHR information and services on account of age, sex, religion, ethnicity, or
gender orientation neither shall any youth be denied access and entry to
apprenticeship programs, educational institutions, or even in a workplace on the
grounds of sexual orientation or of being afflicted with STI’s/HIV/AIDS.
SEC. 15. Private Practitioners' Support. - Pursuant to Section 7 (b) hereof
private reproductive health care service providers, including but not limited to
gynecologists and obstetricians, shall endeavor to render such services free of
charge or at reduced professional fee rates to indigent and low income patients.
It is hereby provided that private reproductive health care service providers shall
develop a protocol to ensure a youth-friendly delivery of services to adolescents.
SEC. 16. Multi-Media Campaign. The Council shall initiate and sustain a
heightened multi-media campaign to raise the level of public awareness of the
urgent need to protect and promote reproductive health care and rights relative to
human development and population management.
SEC. 17. Prohibited Acts. - The following acts are prohibited:
a) Any health care service provider, whether public or private, who shall:
1. Knowingly withhold information, or restrict the dissemination thereof, and/or
intentionally provide incorrect information regarding programs and services on
reproductive health including the right to informed choice and access to a full
range of legal, medically-safe and effective family planning methods;
2. Fail or cause to fail deliberately, or through gross negligence, or inexcusable
neglect, the delivery of reproductive health care services as mandated under this
Act, the Local Government Code of 1991, the Labor Code, and Presidential
Decree 79, as amended; and
3. Refuse to extend quality health care services and information on account of
the person's marital status, gender or sexual orientation, age, religion, personal
circumstances, and nature of work: Provided, That all conscientious objections of
health care service providers based on ethical and religious grounds shall be
respected: Provided, however, That the conscientious objector shall immediately
refer the person seeking such care and services to another health care service
provider within the same facility or one which is conveniently accessible:
Provided, finally, That the person is not in an emergency condition or serious
case as defined in RA 8344 penalizing the refusal of hospitals and medical clinics
to administer appropriate initial medical treatment and support in emergency and
serious cases.
b) Any public official at both the national and local levels with power and authority
over any subordinate who shall prohibit or intentionally restrict the delivery of
legal and medically-safe reproductive health care services, including family
planning;
c) Any employer who shall require or cause a female applicant for employment or
an employee to involuntarily submit herself to sterilization or any contraceptive
method, including but not limited to injection of depo provera as a condition for
employment or continued employment; and
d) Any person who shall engage in willful disinformation with respect to
reproductive health care and rights or the provisions of this Act or cause such
disinformation.
e) Any person who shall deprive the youth/adolescent of their rights as stated in
Section 5 of this Ordinance which includes their right to confidentiality and
privacy of records and the pertinent information thereof.
SEC. 18. Penalties. - Any violation of this Act shall be penalized by
imprisonment ranging from one (1) month to six (6) months or a fine of Twenty
Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00) or both such fine and imprisonment at the
discretion of the proper court. If the offender is a juridical person, the penalty
shall be imposed upon the President, Treasurer, Secretary or any person or
officer responsible for the violation. If the offender is an alien, he/she shall, after
service of sentence, be deported immediately without further proceedings in the
Bureau of Immigration. If the offender is a public officer or employee, the Court
shall, in addition to the penalties hereinabove provided, order his/her dismissal
from the government service.
In addition to the foregoing penalties, violators of this Act shall be liable to the
offended or injured parties, women and/or couples for civil damages the amount
of which shall be subject to the discretion of the competent court.
SEC. 19. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the Council shall convene to promulgate, after thorough
consultation with health and national multi-sectoral non-government
organizations, the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this
Act and shall ensure the full dissemination of the same to the public.
SEC. 20. Oversight Committee – One (1) year from the effectivity of this
Ordinance, an oversight committee shall be created which shall regularly monitor
and evaluate the implementation and enforcement of this ordinance. The
oversight committee shall be composed of the Chairperson on the Committee on
Youth and Family Relations, Chairperson on the Committee on Women,
Chairperson on the Committee on Health, of the Sangguniang Panglunsod and
three (3) representatives from youth and youth-serving organizations and on-
governmental organizations shall also form part of the said committee
independently selected by them. The committee shall regularly convene from its
creation to effectively assess the implementation of the ordinance and
recommend actions before the council.
SEC. 21. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this ordinance
is held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall
remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 22. Repealing Clause. - All other ordinances, executive orders, rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this ordiance are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
SEC. 23 Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of local circulation.
B.
ADOLESCENT SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE
HEALTH AND RIGHTS
ADVOCACY TRAINING
May 28-31, 2007
Ponce Suites
Davao City, Philippines
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Facilitated by
Mindanao Youth Task Force on Reproductive Health, Gender and Sexuality
Ateneo de Davao University
Davao City Philippines
Supported By
EQUITAS International Center for Human Rights Education
Partner Organizations
Mindanao Working Group on Reproductive Health, Gender and Sexuality
Development of Peoples Foundation., Inc.
National Confederation of Youth Advocates – 6th National Youth Parliament of
the National Youth Commission
June 2007
TRAINING OVERVIEW
With the conclusion of the Southeast Asia Training of Trainers on Human
Rights, a small grant was shared by Equitas International Center for
Human Rights Education to support the follow-up activities of the trainers.
It is this opportunity that paved the way for MYTF to undertake a training
on Advocacy on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.
The Mindanao Youth Task Force on Reproductive Health, Gender and
Sexuality (MYTF) is a youth and youth serving institution housed at the
Social Research Training and Development Office (SRTDO) of the Ateneo
de Davao University, that aims at establishing a community supportive of
the reproductive and sexual health of the youth using the gender-based
and rights-based approach. One of its major components is capacity
building for youth leaders in the entire island of Mindanao to be active
frontliners in the advocacy and leadership on Adolescent Sexual and
Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR). Among the highlighted rights
in promoting ASRHR are, the right to information, right to education,
freedom of expression, freedom of choice, freedom from fear, threats or
intimidation. In promoting such rights, International HR instruments are
used such as the UDHR, ICESCR, CEDAW, ICPD, Beijing Platform for
Action and CRC, among others as well as local legislations. The legal
framework is used partly to establish the rights-based approached in
ASRH education. This is in consonance with some provisions in the
international and domestic instruments. These principles and rights, with
gender equality and equity as a major backbone serve as the philosophy
behind the HRE work of the MYTF.
In the Philippine context, youth means those who are within the age range
of 15-30 years old (National Youth Commission). The direct beneficiaries
of the training were the Regional Youth Coordinators for Mindanao of the
National Confederation of Youth Advocates (NCYA), an advocacy arm of
the Philippine National Youth Commission. There are 6 regions in
Mindanao and each region is represented by a coordinator ably assisted
by co-coordinators and sectoral representatives. To be a member of the
NCYA, it is imperative that he/she must be representing a youth or youth
serving institution/organization. Hence, while the coordinators/cocoordinators/ representatives may be the direct target, their constituents in
their respective organizations as well as the youth in their communities
may be served indirectly. In the Medium Term Youth Development Plan
of the National Youth Commission, it envisioned an empowered and
enlightened youth by year 2010. Its major strategy to fully realize its vision
is to enable the youth to actively participate in decision making especially
with policies affecting them so that eventually they can fully exercise their
rights and fulfill certain responsibilities. While the youth’s idealism can be
a very powerful tool in realizing this vision, the absence of the necessary
skills and information in lobbying for some policies may prove to be a
hindrance, particularly, in the area of reproductive and sexual rights which
in the Philippines is a less discussed issue for some religious and cultural
underpinnings. Given these gaps, the training for ASRHR Advocacy is
necessary to ensure a better campaign for youth empowerment.
In the recent National Youth Assessment Program (2004) of the National
Youth Commission, it appeared that the most articulated issue of the
youth harbored on sexual and reproductive risk behaviours. Another
study, the Young Adult Fertility Survey (2004) of the University of the
Philippines Population Institute, said that many of the youth engage in
risky sexual behaviours on account of wrong information and
misconceptions. Added to this, is the clear absence of a national
comprehensive framework to address the reproductive health concerns of
the youth. In most experiences, the youth are not involved in major policy
decisions affecting them either because they are really neglected or
because they do not have the skills. Hence, in this training, the following
needs were addressed:
1. Need to understand the Adolescent Reproductive Health
Framework;
2. The need to know the reproductive and sexual rights of the
adolescents as enshrined in international and local
instruments;
3. The need to have advocacy skills which include lobbying,
networking,
resource
management,
and
project
implementation and monitoring; and
4. The need to know how to utilize international standards in
advocacy works.
The HRE training session provided an avenue for youth leaders to rethink
of their roles as representatives of many other voiceless youth in
promoting and upholding some of their basic rights (reproductive and
sexual). In most societies, the rights of the youth are not given due
consideration and with the rawness of age, the youth would not complain,
if ever violated. Perhaps, because they also do not know about their
rights. In Mindanao most especially where its socio-political landscape is
defined by religious and ethnic divides, access to accurate information and
services becomes even more scarce. Mindanao is home of the Philippines
poorest of the poor and most illiterate of the illiterates. Through legislative
advocacy works, principles are translated as enabling mechanisms to be
more binding and effective both to ensure the promotion, protection and
fulfillment of rights. With the necessary skills, the youth can institutionalize
some of their rights through policies, ordinances and local laws. In this
way, HR culture through the rights of the youth, can be sustaining and
lasting. Monitoring its implementation is another thing though.
Goal
The goal of the training was to raise the level of consciousness of the
youth leaders of the most prevalent ASRHR issues and to enhance their
skills in advocating for ASRHR policies.
Objectives
At the end of the training, the participants were able to:
1. Describe the issues related to ASRHR;
2. Identify the various stages of advocacy work;
3. Explain the link between HR and ASRHR through advocacy; and
4. Formulate and design an ASRHR advocacy plans.
PRE TRAINING ACTIVITIES
Prior to the scheduled training, the groundwork was set. The contract with
Equitas was finalized, venue set, initial planning/meeting was undertaken and
participants were identified. The invitation contained a Pre-Training Needs
Assessment highlighting on their basic knowledge of ASRHR and the situation of
ASRHR in their respective regions (please see complete account attached to the
documentation). The facilitators also had an initial brainstorming on the topics
and sessions to be handled to equip them of the basic information of what to
expect from the training based on the training manual that has be developed
beforehand.
DAY 1: Setting the Advocacy Mood
The first day was set to welcome the participants in the training. There were 18
participants expected, however, only 14 came to join the training on account of
varied reasons such as illness, death of a relative, and other emergency
considerations. The training, which was supposed to start at 4:00 pm started at
6:00 pm since some of the other participants arrived late due to delays in flight
and in their overland transportation.
This day was devoted for setting the training mood and providing the participants
the training framework.
The spiral model of learning was emphasized
highlighting the idea of participatory approach to learning. This was well
appreciated by the participants.
In the welcome dinner, representatives from the partner organizations delivered
their solidarity messages in support of the advocacy training and for the efforts of
the young people in Mindanao in general. The representative from UNFPA
(United Nations Population Fund) expressed his gratitude to Equitas for
supporting efforts such as this training in the hope to promote youth participation
especially in the area of ASRHR which is a very least discussed issue in the
Philippine setting.
TNA results were also shared on the first day. This was intended to provide the
participants the general understanding of the group about ASRHR and its issues.
In addition, they were also provided an opportunity to share their expectations of
the training.
Regional reports of various advocacy efforts were presented by the regional
coordinators. It is overwhelming how young people devote so much commitment
in advocating for major policies in the local councils to lobby for reforms that will
benefit the youth of Mindanao.
A review of the ASRHR concepts also transpired in the evening of the first day.
Principles enshrined in the ICPD, International Conference on Population and
Development were discussed. The major part of the review is the presentation of
the Mindanao situation on Adolescent Reproductive Health which was derived
from the Young Adult Fertility Survey 3 (2003) of the University of the Philippines
Population Institute. It gave the participants a clearer view of the setting within
which they have to work for their advocacy initiatives.
Day 2 Part 1: Getting Up Close and Personal
The second day was devoted for the weaving of ASRHR and the Human Rights
Framework. An expert was invited to facilitate the discussion in the person of
Atty. Rowena Legaspi from the Center of Child Development in Manila, an
alumna of the IHRTP herself. She used the Human Rights lens as the basic tool
in addressing ASRHR issues. This is a major shift in the curriculum for ASRHR
advocacy that the host organization has been using, emphasizing the normative
value of the international documents in advocacy work. In particular, the
Convention of the Rights of the Child was of primal use in this session.
Day 2 Part 2: Getting Started with Advocacy
In the afternoon of day 2, the session on skills development on advocacy began.
It started with defining the parameters of advocacy. At the end of the workshop,
the group came up, upon consensus, with their own definition of advocacy. For
them advocacy is:
Very importantly, major regional ASRHR issues were identified. For the
participants, they felt the following issues as very important and urgent to be
addressed:
Each issue was carefully analyzed using the problem tree analysis framework.
Topics discussed during day 2 are the following:
Session 4: Defining ASRHR Through the Human Rights Lens: Issues
at a Glance
Session 5: Understanding ASRHR Through the CRC (Conventions
on the Rights of Children)
Session 6: Defining Advocacy: The Fundamental Concepts
Session 7: Walking Through the Advocacy Process
Session 8: Spotting the ASRHR Advocacy Issue
Session 9: Scanning ASRHR Issues
Day 3: Building Blocks of Advocacy
Day 3 covered the following topics and sessions:
Session 10: Formulating an Advocacy Goal
Session 11: Target Audiences: Identifying Support and Resistance
Session12: Mobilizing Support: Alliance-, Network and CoalitionBuilding
Session 13: Developing Advocacy Messages (Moving to Action)
Session 14: Lobbying Strategies (Formal and Informal Persuasion)
Session 14: Effective Skills in Public Speaking
Session 15: Delivering Messages: (The One-Minute Power
Speech)
Session 16: Resource Mobilization
Session 17: Monitoring and Evaluation
The third day is a continuation of the second day stream of sessions. Workshops
and group works were the fundamental media through which the participants
learned the concepts. They were asked to formulate goals and objectives based
on the issues previously identified. In a similar stance, audiences were identified
and messages were developed.
To complete the advocacy cycle, sessions on resource mobilization and
monitoring and evaluation were also made. IN the one-minute power speech
delivery, the participants were asked to prepare a one-minute speech which they
delivered before the group. They were videotaped and eventually replayed for
feedbacks from the group. This was done with prior approval from everybody.
Day 4: Moving the Few to Move the Many
The last day was the planning day. After reviewing the advocacy process, the
participants were given 2 hours to put together their advocacy goals, objectives,
audiences, messages and strategies for an advocacy implementation plan.
This was also the closing ceremony to conclude the training. Testimonies from
the regional representatives were shared and a ritual using the metaphor of the
web facilitated the fervor in the participants to do more and be more as a person
and as an advocate.
Evaluation followed.
METHODOLOGY
The training principally employed participatory approach as inspired by the Spiral
Model of Education. The participants generated the content of the training while
we simply provided the framework. Examples of the activities that facilitated
learning were: Diads, dynamica, games, brainstorming, problem solving, role
playing, small group sharing and many others.
A learning diary was also employed to monitor the learning of the participants for
each day of the training. A post training evaluation was also administered to
obtain the general comments of the participants on the conduct of the training.
As a means of follow-up, the participants are expected to submit a report of their
advocacy plan implementation stage. An E-group was created for this purpose as
well as to continuously dialogue on emerging issues in ASRHR and through
which, everyone can share ideas.
LESSONS LEARNED
Our training was full of ascendant pretensions and stark indifference if, despite
the actual plunge and real engagement with the Mindanao life-world, we had not
found lighted paths of conscience and life-embracing heart chambers receptive
to needy voices.
We are most grateful to our trainees who made us see that our young studentleaders are creative and can effectively do tasks and implement projects well—if
properly, adequately and responsively informed, motivated, trusted, and
empowered.
The employment of varied interactive (activity-centered) approaches had
animated and sustained the engagement of our training participants. The
deconstruction and debunking strategies used to shatter stereotypes,
misconceptions and unfounded assumptions facilitated enlightening and
stimulating discussions among our participants especially in addressing the
controversial special topics like homosexuality, masturbation, and premarital sex.
Our deliberate stance was to veer away from being preachy and dogmatic, and
from using imposing and judgmental tones. Tenors and standpoints that are
information-facilitative, option-clarifying, value-seeking, and even spirituallydiscerning proved to be effectively evocative nonthreatening, and personaffirming to our training participants.
Opportunities for facilitated dialogue between the young adolescents and their
adult mentors, guides and parents are rare and wanting. Both the young and the
adult sectors seek avenues and opportunities for relational intimacies and bonds
to heal and bloom. Needed expertise is limited, costly and not readily accessible.
There is a strong challenge to conceive and diffuse empowering interventions.
The young adults still quest, thirst, and hunger for the right, necessary,
wholesome and sufficient information.
The academic curricula need to integrate and be informed by updated
information, perspectives and ways of understanding that can facilitate effective
accompaniment of our students-youth.
Careful discernment and justified identification for an advocacy cause that may
serve as rallying point for solidarity is crucial in initiating and forging partnerships
and networks.
CONCLUSION
Having looked back, we are most grateful that we had been able to complete
the specified tasks expected of us. We have surmounted the challenges that
came our paths.
We had established the new networks we needed. We had revisited,
renewed, sustained, and strengthened ties with past partner agencies and
existing networks. And before we even folded our project implementation, we
have begun to see outcomes that unfolded whose extent of impact was not
merely contingent and dependent on the funded project.
We salute student leaders who will journey, bloom, and radiate our various
advocacy campaigns beyond the life span of this training, this time using the
Human Rights Lens.
Finally, we take this opportunity to convey our deepest gratitude to our
generous, empowering, and trusting supporter, EQUITAS International Center for
Human Rights Education and its administration that supervised us and gave us
the much needed opportunity to propagate the Human Rights Framework in the
Philippines – much more for the youth of Mindanao.