20/08/2026
𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭
The Province of Iloilo, through the Office of the Provincial Population Officer, successfully conducted the 2026 Responsible Parenthood and Family Development Summit with the theme “Bridging Gaps, Building Futures” on August 18, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. at Diversion 21 Hotel, Benigno Aquino Avenue, Diversion Road, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
The summit gathered members of the Pre-Marriage Orientation and Counseling (PMOC) Teams from the 42 municipalities and one component city of the Province of Iloilo, providing a meaningful platform to enhance their knowledge, strengthen their competencies, and share experiences in promoting responsible parenthood and family development.
Representing Passi City were Ma. Theresa P. Buena, PPO IV – Passi Population Office; Arlyn S. Tolosa, SWO III – City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO); Ma. Fe T. Andong, Midwife IV – City Health Office (CHO); Remia B. Aranza, Midwife III – City Health Office (CHO); Salome E. Arevalo, City Civil Registrar I – Civil Registrar’s Office; and Stephen B. Palma, Administrative Assistant I – Civil Registrar’s Office.
The summit featured a series of informative and engaging learning sessions facilitated by distinguished speakers and resource persons. 𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐉. 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐨, Retired RTC Family Court Judge, discussed “𝙐𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝘾𝙤𝙙𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙡 𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙜𝙚,” providing participants with a deeper understanding of the legal principles governing marriage and family life.
𝐃𝐫. 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐉. 𝐂𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐨 of Tawili Foundation for Social and Educational Development, Inc. tackled “𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨, 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨: 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙮 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙍𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥𝙨,” highlighting the importance of nurturing positive family relationships, strengthening parental responsibilities, and creating supportive and resilient family environments.
Meanwhile, 𝐌𝐫. 𝐃𝐨𝐧 𝐅. 𝐒𝐚𝐬𝐮, Project Development Officer I and PRIME Focal Person, discussed “𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙀𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨: 𝘼𝙣 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 "𝙋𝙍𝙄𝙈𝙀" 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚.” His presentation introduced participants to the PRIME Helpline and emphasized the importance of emotional support and accessible assistance in helping individuals and families navigate challenges and strengthen their emotional resilience.
The final learning session was delivered by 𝐃𝐫. 𝐑𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐨 𝐕𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐆. 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐧𝐚, Population Program Officer III-OIC/PPO IV, who discussed the “𝙅𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙢 𝘾𝙞𝙧𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙚-𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙊𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙂𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨.” The session provided participants with important updates and guidance on the revised policies and implementing guidelines for the PMOC Program, helping ensure more consistent and effective delivery of services across local government units.
The provincial summit aimed to reorient and equip PMOC Team members with updated knowledge on current developments, emerging trends, and best practices in responsible parenthood and family life education. It also served as a valuable venue for sharing insights and experiences, as well as discussing the issues, challenges, and opportunities encountered in the implementation of the Pre-Marriage Orientation and Counseling Program across local government units in the province.
Through engaging learning sessions, meaningful discussions, and the exchange of experiences and best practices, participants gained valuable insights on marriage and relationships, responsible parenthood, family planning, emotional resilience, pregnancy and child care, and the updated implementation of the PMOC Program.
More than a learning activity, the summit reaffirmed the shared commitment of PMOC Teams to empower individuals and couples to make responsible and informed decisions, strengthen family relationships, and promote the formation of healthy, stable, emotionally resilient, and thriving families.
Through strengthened collaboration, continuous learning, and the sharing of best practices, the 2026 Responsible Parenthood and Family Development Summit contributed to bridging gaps, building stronger families, and shaping brighter futures for individuals, couples, and communities across the Province of Iloilo.
