BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte --  More than one hundred non-health service providers in the region were re-trained with Interpersonal Communication and Counseling (IPCC) on Family Planning, conducted by the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) Caraga on September 20 to 23, 2022, with financial assistance from DKT Philippines Foundation, Inc.

The population workers and volunteers of the Province of Dinagat Islands were the first batch of participants. Second and third batches of participants were from Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Norte, respectively. 

POPCOM recognized the importance of IPCC especially among the community front liners – the health/population workers and volunteers, for this skill will help them communicate effectively to their clients and improve client satisfaction. 

Director Alexander A. Makinano of POPCOM Caraga emphasized that the said training enhances the interpersonal communication skills of these non-heath service providers  and will enable them to understand the importance of IPCC in facilitating behavior change to improve delivery of family planning information and services; increase their knowledge on basic facts and information, including myths and misconceptions about FP; enable them to demonstrate effectively basic competence in adult learning or teaching methodology. 

To recall, POPCOM Caraga and DKT Philippines Foundation, Inc. inked partnership to further strengthen the implementation of family planning information and service provision to men and women with unmet need for modern family planning in Caraga region. (May ann O. Escobal, POPCOM Caraga/PIA Caraga)