BUTUAN CITY—The Population Commission in Caraga (POPCOM-Caraga) has taken the government’s family planning advocacy to the hardcourt—literally.
In coordination with local government units (LGUs) in the region, POPCOM-Caraga has organized an inter-LGU basketball tournament dubbed as the “Kalalakihang Tumutugon Sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon Para sa Pamilya (KATROPA) On the Hardcourt.”
POPCOM-Caraga said the tournament’s maiden games started in Surigao City on November 11, participated by teams from Surigao del Norte, Butuan City and parts of Agusan del Norte.
Competing teams under the Surigao leg see action at the Surigao City Gymnasium starting 12 noon to 4 p.m. The Agusan leg comprising teams from Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur and parts of Agusan del Norte will compete on November 17, at 4 p.m. at the Bayugan City Gymnasium. The teams will see action again on November 18, 12:00 noontime at San Francisco, Agusan del Sur Gymnasium.
The teams were selected from the best players in their respective cities and provinces, said POPCOM-Caraga Regional Director Alexander Makinano.
Makinano said the tournament hopes to convey to the players and the watching public the advocacy of responsible fatherhood, husband and men of the community.
Makinano said the KATROPA on Hardcourt advocacy is part of POPCOM’s twin program of Responsible Parenthood-Family Planning (RP-FP) and Adolescent Health Development (AHD).
The tournament also features family planning orientation, film showings and distribution of leaflets and other reading materials.
Makinano said that by integrating a favorite Filipino sports into the mix, they hope to raise the level of awareness of the public on family planning and community involvement, as well as to convey to Filipino men their responsibility as head of the family and the community.
He added that part of the advocacy is the promotion of women’s reproductive care to ensure safe pregnancy and child-bearing. (PNA/Noel B. Najarro)
