Around 250 participants from across the province attended the First Responsible Parenthood and Family Development Summit organized by the Provincial Population Office, headed by Atty. Ruel Von Superio, at Diversion 21 Hotel on August 18, 2026.
The participants included Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers, Local Civil Registrars, members of the Pre-Marriage Orientation and Counseling (PMOC) Teams, and other stakeholders.
The event featured distinguished speakers:
* Retired Judge Globert Justalero, who discussed the legal foundations of marriage under the Family Code of the Philippines.
* Dr. Diane Cacho of the Tawili Foundation for Social and Educational Development, who spoke on Responsible Parenthood and Healthy Family Relationships.
* Don Sasu of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, who introduced the provincial government’s mental health program PRIME (Program for Resilience of Iloilo in Mind and Emotion) Helpline.
In his keynote address, Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. urged support for PRIME, particularly in promoting the responsible use of social media to address mental health issues. He emphasized that responsible parenthood plays a vital role in tackling the mental health concerns of the youth.
Meanwhile, Atty. Superio highlighted that under Governor Defensor’s leadership, the provincial government has invested nearly ₱200 million in the establishment of Family and Youth Development Centers (FYDCs) across the province.
“Today, 31 Family and Youth Development Centers are underway and under construction, three of which have already been inaugurated — in the municipalities of Igbaras, Lemery, and Batad,” Superio said, adding: “Before the end of Governor Defensor’s term in 2028, our goal is to establish FYDCs in all 42 municipalities and the lone component city of the province.”
He further stressed: “With the establishment of FYDCs, we are not merely addressing a social concern today — we are investing in the future of our province.”
Vice Governor Nathalie Ann Debuque graced the afternoon session, where Dr. Roilo Vincent Laguna of the Commission on Population Development discussed the implementing guidelines of the Revised Pre-Marriage Orientation and Counseling Program.
The session also included a review of PMOC protocols with invited panelists from partner agencies and stakeholders.
Also in attendance were municipal mayors Jon Aying of Sara, Arnold Betita II of Carles, Loida Espinosa of Ajuy, Vicente Jaen II of Leganes, and Peter Paul Gonzales of Banate while others sent their representatives.
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