Population office, Rotary club of Butuan North endorse agreements for key strategies on population, dev't in Caraga
BUTUAN CITY -- In a major step toward fostering sustainable development and community empowerment, the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Caraga recently approved and adopted the two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Rotary Club of Butuan North led by President Maximo Y. Sato.
These agreements focused on implementing two critical strategies from the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action (PPD-POA) 2023-2028 during their regular meeting at VCDU New Prince Hotel, Butuan City.
The two MOUs addressed the following strategies under the PPD-POA, include Strategy No. 1: Promotion of Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RPFP); and Strategy No. 3: Labor Force Empowerment and Active and Healthy Aging.
During the meeting, CPD Caraga Director Alexander A. Makinano delivered an informative presentation, detailing the PPD-POA strategies and anchoring them on the Caraga Population and Development (POPDEV) situationer. Dir. Makinano explained the critical importance of integrating these strategies into local initiatives, focusing on how responsible family planning and labor force empowerment could lead to better socio-economic outcomes for the region.
Following Makinano’s presentation, Engr. Joel C. Lobrino, a member of the Rotary Club, raised a motion to approve the two MOUs. The motion was quickly seconded by the general membership, leading to a unanimous adoption of the agreements.
In addition to approving the MOUs, the Rotary Club of Butuan North took further action by agreeing to form a dedicated committee tasked with designing an action plan to implement the terms of both agreements. This committee will work closely with CPD Caraga to ensure the successful rollout of programs and initiatives outlined in the MOUs, ensuring widespread impact across Butuan City and its neighboring areas.
The scope of the MOUs for the Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RPFP) include the CPD Caraga’s provision of technical support and resources for RPFP training sessions and programs targeted at workplaces, informal sectors, and community organizations; Rotary Club of Butuan North will leverage its network to promote RPFP initiatives within businesses and communities. The club will also offer logistical support and community engagement to ensure successful program execution; and this partnership aims to promote informed decision-making around family size, spacing of children, and reproductive health services, ensuring a healthier and more empowered population.
The MOU on Labor Force Empowerment and Active and Healthy Aging, also include the CPD Caraga will spearhead initiatives focusing on workforce skills development, financial literacy, and pre-retirement programs to empower both the working-age population and the elderly; Rotary Club of Butuan North will engage local business leaders and professionals to support pre-retirement planning, financial literacy sessions, and active aging programs that ensure the elderly remain active contributors to their communities; and This MOU emphasizes preparing workers for a productive and healthy life post-retirement, ensuring they can continue contributing to local development well into their senior years.
Key areas of focus:
Institutionalizing Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning: Ensuring access to RPFP services in workplaces, small businesses, and marginalized sectors, equipping families with the knowledge and resources to make informed decisions about reproductive health and family planning.
Empowering the Labor Force and Promoting Active Aging: The programs outlined in the MOU aim to empower the current workforce by providing financial literacy, skills training, and pre-retirement planning. The focus on active aging ensures that older individuals remain economically and socially engaged, contributing to the community and maintaining their well-being.
Impact and long-term goals
The two MOUs mark a significant commitment from the Rotary Club of Butuan North to align with national development strategies under the PPD-POA 2023-2028. By promoting responsible family planning and empowering both the labor force and the elderly, these partnerships aim to enhance community well-being, address local population challenges, and drive sustainable growth in the region.
Statements from leadership
In his address, Makinano highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts stating, "These MOUs reflect our shared commitment to tackling pressing population and development issues. Through the Rotary Club's support, we can extend the reach of responsible parenthood programs and ensure our labor force and aging population are prepared to face future challenges."
Pres. Sato of Rotary Club of Butuan North added, "We are proud to partner with CPD-Caraga in promoting family planning and labor force empowerment. These efforts are vital to the long-term prosperity of our community. By working together, we can make a meaningful difference in improving lives and driving sustainable growth in Butuan and beyond."
Moving forward
Both CPD Caraga and Rotary Club of Butuan North will jointly monitor and evaluate the progress of the MOU implementations. A monitoring and evaluation (M&E) team will be established to ensure that goals are met, and the programs have a positive impact on the target sectors. (May Ann O. Escobal, CPD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
