The Philippines marks World Population Day on July 11: Half of the journey made since the 1994 Cairo Population and Development Meeting

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The Philippines joins the World Population Day on 11 July, with its theme, “25 Years of the ICPD,” looking back at the country’s gains and challenges since the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, Egypt.

In 1994, Filipinos made up 1.21 percent of the world population. 25 years after, it increased to 1.40 percent. 1 With some 108 million people, the Philippines is now the 13th most populous country in the world. 2 Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) indicate that the country’s population continues to increase in numbers, approximately three babies born per minute, but the rate of growth has declined to 1.76% annually since the 2015 population census. Under this growth rate, the country’s population is expected to double in the next 39 years.

Significant progress has been made from 1994 for instance in- Total Fertility Rate (from 4.1 in 1993 to 2.7 in 2017) and Modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (from 25% in 1993 to 40% in 2017).3 Gains were due to continued government efforts in advocating for Family Planning (FP) programs, despite hurdles from various groups.

Moreover, policies pursuant to the ICPD agenda in the country were also implemented, including the full implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Law as one of the priority socioeconomic agenda; issuance of Executive Order No. 12 to achieve and sustain zero unmet need for modern family planning by 2022; and the approval by President Rodrigo Duterte of the intensified implementation of the National Program on Population and Family Planning (NPPFP).

25 years after ICPD, the country still needs to address sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), including on gender-based violence. While significant strides have been made, particularly in the area of civil rights as girls acquire more education and enter the workforce, they continue to face challenges in the private sphere of their homes, where their decisions and actions are often questioned and sometimes met with coercion and violence. These are the stark inequalities that hold back women in realizing their full potential.

26 percent of ever-married women of reproductive age still experience violence from their husbands or partners, whether in the form of physical, sexual or emotional abuse (National Demographic and Health Survey, 2017). 

The 2019 State of the World Population (SWOP) Report placed emphasis on gender issues as one impediment in the advancement of SRHR. As Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Natalia Kanem stated, “We must push back against forces that would see us return to a time when women had little say in reproductive decisions or, for that matter, in any area of their lives. The fight for rights and choices must continue until they are a reality for all.” 

Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) Undersecretary Dr. Juan Antonio A. Perez III believes that attitudes towards gender roles have consequences, on how individuals and couples form their families, perceive female employment, run the workplace and other institutions like church and school. “People-centered development where individuals are empowered has been the core of our advocacy — from educating girls, engaging men and women, and recognizing the role of the bigger society we all live in,” Usec. Perez said. 

The ICPD in Cairo, Egypt, set forth a Programme of Action signed by 179 countries, embarking on a long and difficult journey to reproductive health, including voluntary family planning and safe pregnancy; women empowerment and gender equality. 

“UNFPA congratulates the Philippine Government in its achievements and commitment to fulfill the promise of the ICPD Agenda,” said Iori Kato, UNFPA Representative in the Philippines.

“We look forward to the Government renewing its commitment at the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25: Accelerating the promise, a high-level conference organized on 12-14 November 2019 to finish the unfinished agenda of the full implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action as an integral way for sustainable development,” he added.

POPCOM and UNFPA are proud to have been part of the 25 fruitful years of the ICPD, taking on extra significance this year when both agencies mark their 50th founding anniversary. Usec. Perez asserted, “We are only on the halfway point of our own journey. We must persevere to empower millions more Filipino families.”

We invite everyone to join us in this year’s World Population Day national celebration on 11 July 2019, 10 AM at the Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. This dissemination forum will be an avenue to present to the public the results of the ICPD@25 National Review.

1 Data from www.data.worldbank.org

2 Data based on the latest United Nations Population Division estimates.

3 Data from 1993 and 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS)

Panasonic scholarship for 2019

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Manila, Philippines - In its pursuit of “A Better Life, ABetter World,” Panasonic is now accepting candidates for its 2019 Panasonic Scholarship Asia Program (PSA).

In the Philippines, the said scholarship program is offered to promising state university students (graduating in 2 years’ time) in a bachelor’s degree program, and to newly-enrolled students in a vocational course program for the school year 2019~2020. 

PSA is administered by Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corporation in the country along with the support of Panasonic Industrial Devices Philippines Corporation, offering financial assistance to promising students, who have difficulty receiving higher education particularly for economic reasons, but highly-motivated to contribute to thecountry’s progress and development.

Applicants must be: a Filipino citizen, and a bona fide full time junior student in a state university enrolled in the fields of engineering, industrial design, accountancy, and economics; and those vocational students currently enrolled/accepted in a TESDA-accredited institution, specializing in the fields of electro-mechanics, consumer electronics, or refrigeration & air conditioning; financially challenged but academically deserving and of good character; determined to excel and make a difference…

Panasonic is founded on the basic objective to be a corporation devoted to the progress and development of society and the well-being of people, thereby contributing to the growth of human civilization. 

Interested parties may send e-mail to: jafanika.sibal@ph.panasonic.com orlorenzo.magsingit@ph.panasonic.com to request Official Application Form. 

Applications will be accepted until August 16, 2019. Documents submitted shall not be returned under any circumstances.

World Vision Inks Partnerships with Corporate Donors to Support Children’s Programs

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World Vision Philippines together with several corporations continues to help thousands of Filipino children in need through partnerships aimed to support the organization’s child-focused projects in the Philippines.

In line with the back-to-school season, World Vision and Procter & Gamble (P&G) Philippines launched the “Pag-asa sa Basura” campaign, a sustainable waste collection and recycling system targeting several areas in Metro Manila. The pilot implementation of the project will be done in 25 schools in Malabon and Quezon City.

The participating schools will be outfitted with school-based materials recovery facilities (MRF) for various solid waste materials including sachet packaging. The students who will be participating in the campaign are encouraged to bring a certain number of sachets to receive incentives such as school supplies. Furthermore, the profits that will be collected from the MRF will be used for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) programs like improvements in their handwashing facilities and WaSH education. 

This initiative will not only be benefiting the children but also saving the environment with the goal of preventing at least one million pieces of sachets going to the ocean. Educators and students will also be trained on the principles of solid waste management specifically recycling.

Earlier this month, World Vision together with Elev8 Media Inc., an out-of-home advertising company, signed an agreement to support the NGO’s (non-government organization) awareness drive for child sponsorship. Elev8 Media Inc. donated 90 lamp post banners in key areas of Makati City, Taguig City and Paranaque City featuring photos and testimonials from former sponsored children and donors of World Vision.

The partnership aims to increase public awareness about World Vision’s Child Sponsorship Program, an initiative where donors commit to give monthly sponsorship to provide the basic needs of a child supported by World Vision.

Another partnership forged by World Vision is with Domescape, a private glamping vacation home in Nasugbu, Batangas. They recently conducted the “A Star of Something Good”, a stargazing event for the benefit of World Vision. 

Domescape's willingness to support the children thru World Vision and the owners’ generosity as seen during the launch resulted to one child being sponsored by the corporate partner and two sponsorship pledges from the guests who attended the event. They look forward to doing more of these events that will help increase awareness and move people to support for World Vision’s children’s programs.

”World Vision Philippines is so blessed with the success of all of our initiatives with our partners and on behalf of our organization, I would like to thank them for their unwavering support to our advocacy. Let’s continue to work together for the Filipino children,” said World Vision Philippines Executive Director Rommel Fuerte.

To know more and support World Vision Philippines activities, visit www.worldvision.org.ph. You may also follow /worldvisionph on Facebook and @worldvisionphl on Instagram for updates.

About World Vision

World Vision is a global Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

SM Cinema Transports You to the World of Disney’s The Lion King with the ‘Into the Jungle’ Exhibit

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A much-loved classic, Disney’s The Lion King first touched our hearts and made us sing along to its phenomenal songs back in 1994. Now 25 years after the release of the animated film, come and feel the love again as Disney’s The Lion King finds its way back to SM Cinema theatres this July!

To prepare for the return of Disney’s The Lion King, SM Cinema is inviting moviegoers to Into the Jungle, a mall set up taking inspiration from the film that is full of fun activities and interactive displays. The magic of Disney’s The Lion King goes from reel to real life with exciting activities such as rock and rope climbing and animal face painting, transporting kids and kids-at-heart into the jungle!

This will run in SM North EDSA The Block Atrium until July 18 for the whole family to enjoy, with the kick-off also including a special performance of Disney’s The Lion King’s beloved songs.

Disney’s “The Lion King”, directed by Jon Favreau, journeys to the African savanna where a future king is born. Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub’s arrival. Scar, Mufasa’s brother—and former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba’s exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.

The all-star cast includes Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa and Billy Eichner as Timon. 

Utilizing pioneering filmmaking techniques to bring treasured characters to life in a whole new way, Disney’s The Lion King roars into cinemas starting July 17, Wednesday, at SM Cinemas available inIMAX, Director’s Club Cinema and regular cinemas nationwide! 

Book your tickets through the website, www.smcinema.com or download the SM Cinema mobile app. You may also follow /SMCinema on Facebook and @SM_Cinema on Instagram for updates! Satisfy your cavings at Snack Time, the official food concessionaire of SM Cinema, which offers a wide array of snack like popcorn, hotdogs and burgers to complement your movie watching experience. Follow /SnackTimeOfficial on Facebook for more information.

BDO Foundation teaches financial education to kids through storytelling

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Saving money is one of the most important aspects in our life. Teaching kids how to save money may seem like a tough task. How can you make your child’s understanding of money fun and accessible? It’s an investment in knowledge which truly pays the best interest.

There are ways to empower the next generation, and that starts by teaching children the importance of saving from a young age.

A boy who succeeds in getting his dream toy, an enterprising high school student who uses her creativity to earn income, and a modified version of a well-loved folk song—these are just some of the content used to teach youngsters the value of saving money and preparing for the future.

Gandang Girlie Video - “Ganda ni Girlie,” describes how a high school student’s resourcefulness and creativity help her earn income even in her youth. 

The materials, which come in the form of videos, are part of the training tools developed by BDO Foundation, the Department of Education (DepEd) and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to promote financial education among public school students from kindergarten all the way to senior high school,

Savings from her earnings 

“Young people are into watching videos. We thought it would be best to come up with financial literacy videos that would not just entice, but more importantly, educate them,” said BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito.

He also said the strategy to leverage storytelling and music was meant to provide entertainment while educating children on the very important subject of personal finance.

“The beauty of stories and songs is that they are easy to remember. Kids appreciate the materials better because they can easily imagine being the characters in the stories. This makes the materials so powerful in teaching and inspiring,” Deriquito continued.

Finishing touches for her springless notebook business

Five financial education videos for students have been released to date. These aim to catch students’ attention and enable them to learn about the value of money at the same time.

The said tools, developed by BDO Foundation in partnership with DepEd and BSP, were deployed to public schools nationwide by virtue of DepEd Memo No. 32, series of 2019, signed by DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones.

Newspaper fund drive from her neighbors & sells it to nearby junkshops

The videos include “Walk Hard for the Money,” which tells of an elementary school boy who chooses to walk to school instead of commuting despite being given allowance. Along with other money-making efforts, these eventually pay off, allowing him to buy an electric scooter, which he later rides to school.

Another video, “Bente Bente,” conveys the same message to young school children to the tune of “Tong Tong Pakitong-kitong.”

Inspired by the Filipino folk song Magtanim ay Di Biro, “Umutang ay Di Biro” also uses music to tell older students to save their allowance, limit spending and pay debts on time.

Ice Candy business during weekends

“Ganda ni Girlie,” meanwhile, describes how a high school student’s resourcefulness and creativity help her earn income even in her youth. 

“Save to Have a Million: Junior Edition” discusses the right attitudes in handling money through a game show.

Other than the videos for the students, the financial literacy learning tools also include lesson plans, discussion guides, and financial education videos for teachers and non-teaching personnel.

“It is very important that the students start the habit of saving while they’re young,” Deriquito emphasized. 

“This is our strategy for greater financial inclusion among Filipinos in the long run.”

A survey conducted by global financial services firm Standard & Poor’s revealed that only 25% of Filipino adults are financially literate. This is lower than the global average of 33%.

Barbecue Outside her village area with the help of her relatives taking turns in grilling then selling it. 

“We hope that the videos encourage the students not just to live for the moment, but prepare for their future by saving and spending wisely now,” Deriquito added.

BDO Foundation will be developing more financial education materials together with DepEd and BSP in the future.

The foundation also has financial education programs for overseas Filipino workers and their families, army personnel and their families, and small farmers. Its programs will further be discussed in a web series on YouTube.

BDO Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank.