Nearly 400 population officers, volunteers, and workers spanning from Region 1 to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) gathered yesterday, October 28, at the People’s Center and Library for the first day of the 2024 National FLEPOWPHIL Conference and Planning Workshop.

Mark Lucio S. Cortado, Jr., RAPOW VIII, Inc. President, began the event by acknowledging the attendees. Following this, Hedeliza P. Ramos, Program Officer III and head of the City Population Office, delivered a welcome message on behalf of Tacloban City Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez. In his message, the City Mayor commended the essential role of population workers in nation-building, particularly their impact on human capital and economic growth.

Junmar C. Gonzales, FLEPOWPHIL National President, discussed the conference’s rationale, underscoring the goal of empowering government agencies and frontline workers with the skills needed to operate efficiently. He emphasized that as an advocacy arm of the Commission on Population and Development, FLEPOWPHIL aims to strengthen engagement with local chief executives and finance teams to secure agency support for future initiatives.

The conference will continue through October 30. Key topics throughout the three-day workshop will include discussions on the parameters of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), standards within the Population and Development Program, and best practices from various regions.