By Alpine L. Killa

Bontoc, Mountain Province – To equip the parents with needed competencies to help their adolescent children understand and cope up with the challenges they encounter from childhood to adulthood and at the same time strengthen the bond between them, a two-day training on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) was conducted here last March 21-22, 2016.

The training was participated in by 15 families comprising the mother, father and their adolescent child aging from 10-19.

Program Population Officer V Shirley Chiyawan said that the training helped both parents and their adolescent child understand the key concepts and issues on human sexuality related to reproductive health, how sexuality affects their behavior and social relations, the risk brought about by their sexuality and how to avoid these risks, and evolving needs of adolescent and young people in accordance to the changing times and the risks they face every day.

She added that with the activity, self-confidence and self-esteem of the adolescent have increased and there is enhancement on their leadership capability as sharing, group discussions, workshop and games were part of the training.

Also, the parents were informed with additional knowledge on the adolescent sexuality and their role as the primary source of accurate and sound information on the adolescent health and development, and other related concerns of their adolescent children.

Meanwhile, the lecturers and trainers are from the Commission on Population (PopCom)- regional office and Cordillera Parents Federation Incorporated (CPFI).

The training was spearheaded and funded by the PopCom- regional office, CPFI and the Provincial Government of Mountain Province through its Population Development Office.