TACLOBAN CITY –  As a strong and consistent advocate on gender and development, the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) conducted on 15 October 2022, a lecture on R.A. 10354 otherwise known as the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Act of 2012 at the NMP Annex Building, Cabalawan, Tacloban City.

The said undertaking is part of the continuing advocacy campaign of the NMP to strengthen awareness and understanding of NMP personnel on women’s rights and laws protecting them. Specifically the activity aimed to provide the participants with the information on the provision, delivery and access to reproductive health care services and the promotion and protection of women’s reproductive health and rights.

In her welcome message, NMP OIC ED Mayla N. Macadawan urged everyone to be open-minded and actively participate.

“I encourage everyone to get involved in the discussions and at the same time learn whatever you can.  And as you leave this venue I challenge you to retain the invaluable knowledge derived from this activity. I hope that with your learning experiences today, you will be able to become a  responsible individual, responsible member of your family and community and at the same time, responsible members of the government service,” she disclosed.

Resource persons were Ms. Melchora E. Cawile and Mr. Melboy  R. Bulan both from the Provincial Government of Leyte.  Among the topics discussed were:  Responsible Parenting;  Importance and Benefits of Family Planning and Decision-Making for Couples and Various Methods of Family Planning (FP).  It was also emphasized the importance of Informed Choice and Voluntarism (ICV) as a guiding principle in the provision of quality information and services on FP.

The activity was  participated in by fifty-four (54) NMP personnel including Job order Workers.

R.A. 10354 aims to empower the Filipino people, especially women and youth, through informed choice and age- and development- appropriate education. Further, the law guarantees access to information, facilities and services most especially for the poor by ensuring stable and sustainable reproductive health programs are in place through partnerships between national and local governments in collaboration with civil society organizations, basic sectors, academe and private sector.