The Sugar Industry Foundation, Inc. (SIFI), through its Responsible Sourcing from Smallholders (RSS) Program, collaborated with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Provincial Health Office (PHO) for a seminar regarding family planning, attended by the ARBOs and barangays.
The Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) under the SIFI-RSS Program, alongside their respective Barangay Officials and Barangay CRAs, participated in the Family Planning in Sugarcane Farm Communities: ARBOs Orientation and Barangay Action Planning.
The training aimed to reflect on the child rights, particularly the right to life and development, and recognize how child labor violates and hampers these rights. This also sheds light to responsible parenthood and family planning as essential components of protecting children and their well-being. In collaboration with DOLE and the PHO, available programs, services, and referral mechanisms that support child protection were identified and promoted during the event.
DOLE Negros Occidental Field Office LEO II Ms. Florabelle May Libawan focused on the discussion of child rights, focusing on the right to life in accordance with the existing statutes and conventions. This refreshes the ARBOs’ knowledge and importance in respecting children’s rights and welfare. Misconceptions on child rights were also addressed during this session.
Family Planning focal Ms. Nicea Jerez from the Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office, connects the discussion to the reduction of child labor risks through a well-planned family. She also discussed the available planning methods and access to the participants. Myths and misconceptions surrounding family planning methods were debunked and addressed in this portion of the event.
Barangay officials and health workers were invited on the third day of the training. This is in relation to SIFI’s barangay integration initiative. This urged the barangays to create action plans and re-echoing activities on family planning to the sugar farming communities.
*with reports from Orland Solis.
