The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Central Luzon cited its partners in advancing and championing population and development works in the region.
During the Rafael M. Salas Kaunlarang Pantao Awards, CPD Regional Director Lourdes Nacionales said the awarding is a reaffirmation of the outstanding efforts of various regional agencies and local government units (LGUs) that have consistently promoted and implemented the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action at the regional and local levels.
“These regional line agencies and LGUs have set a benchmark for others, showcasing effective strategies and practices, contributing to the population and development goal, that can be replicated or adapted across different regions,” she stressed.
The director added that the event is the commission’s way to recognize their stakeholders who helped them in the implementation of large-scale population and development strategies that will affect positively to the life of the population.
“All of us here today are population and development workers. We are proof that population is very important to achieve development. Our mandates lead us to implement programs and strategies that will impact our population because we all want to give our people a good quality of life,” Nacionales said.
In her message, she also emphasized the need for continuous collaboration and convergence in order to reach more marginalized people in the community.
“Let’s work together in public service and continue to guide our citizens so that we can achieve the Ambisyon 2040 of a stable, convenient, and secure life,” Nacionales said.
Awardees include the provincial governments of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales; and the city governments of Angeles, Olongapo, Balanga, Baliwag, Malolos, Meycauayan, San Jose Del Monte, Cabanatuan, Palayan, Muñoz, San Jose, San Fernando, and Mabalacat.
Member-agencies of the Special Regional Committee on Population and Development were also given citations including the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Health- Central Luzon Center for Health Development, Commission on Human Rights, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Trade and Industry, National Commission of Indigenous Peoples, National Youth Commission Pampanga Chapter, Philippine National Police Regional Office 3, Philippine Statistics Authority, and the Philippine Information Agency.
CPD also recognized its civil society organization representative Family Planning Organization of the Philippines; as well as its development partners USAID Reach Health and Zuellig Family Foundation The Challenge Initiative during the event. (CLJD/MJSC-PIA Region 3, Pampanga)