26
Mar 2025
13-Year-Olds with HIV are not the Problem
Roots of Health Statement March 25, 2025 Recent reports of a 13-year-old diagnosed with HIV in Palawan have sparked urgent concern, prompting increased screenings over the weekend. Yet public discourse has been clouded with misinformation and misplaced blame. Social media comment sections are replete with condemnations of adolescent promiscuity. People completely miss the fact that most sexual relationships involving minors are with adults – indeed, cases of statutory rape. The
A powerful photo exhibit, Sulyap: Katotohanan sa Mata ng Kabataan, was staged on March 14 at the NCCC Mall, showcasing realities faced by young Palaweños – including early pregnancy, child labor, poverty, and mental health struggles. Organized by Roots of Health in collaboration with Photovoices International, JCI Puerto Princesa Oil, and the Puerto Princesa City Youth Development Office, the one-day event featured the work of 13 youth advocates who used
03
Mar 2025
JOB OPENING: HR Director
Roots of Health is seeking a Human Resources (HR) Director. The HR Director will be responsible for overseeing the organization’s Human Resources. This role will ensure smooth day-to-day operations and implement strategies to enhance organizational efficiency. The HR Director will work closely with the Executive Team and department heads to align HR functions with organizational goals, ensuring compliance with policies and regulatory standards. This position is Palawan-based and the organization
Pasig City; February 27, 2025 – Students at Rizal High School (RHS), the second largest high school in the Philippines, marked the end of the Valentine’s season today with PAD-Ibig Diaries, an innovative initiative that embeds reproductive health education into menstrual pad packaging. A collaboration between advertising agency Black Pencil Manila of the Leo Burnett Group and reproductive health NGO Roots of Health, PAD-Ibig Diaries uses illustrated diary entries on menstrual
25
Feb 2025
JOB OPENING: Finance Manager
Roots of Health is seeking a Finance Manager who will be responsible for overseeing the organization’s financial operations, ensuring accurate financial reporting functions, compliance, internal controls, and efficient transaction reporting. This role ensures that financial policies and procedures are effectively implemented to support strategic decision-making while maintaining regulatory compliance and operational efficiency. This is a full-time position in Puerto Princesa City with a probation period up to six months, depending
If we’re honest, our society sexualizes children from an early age—sexy dances at events, skimpy outfits on noon-time shows, online porn, sexting. In the absence of proper education, all that young people have, in this already hypersexualized world, are unreliable sources for information: peers, myths, or unvetted internet content. For example, myths such as “jumping after sex prevents pregnancy” offer a false sense of security and put young lives at
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan – Roots of Health (Ugat ng Kalusugan), a Palawan-based organization dedicated to empowering women and young people through sexual and reproductive health education and services, calls for the full implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) nationwide. This appeal comes in response to ongoing campaigns by groups such as Project Dalisay, which, according to Roots of Health, misrepresents the content and goals of CSE. “Without
20
Dec 2024
Lighting the Path in the Fight Against HIV
In a world where stigma and misunderstanding often overshadow compassion, Jap stands as a beacon of hope. As the HIV Program Coordinator at Roots of Health (ROH), Jap has dedicated his time to educating communities, conducting screenings, and providing support to people living with HIV (PWH). His journey is not only a testament to the power of empathy and persistence, it also highlights the crucial role HIV workers play in
Marcus Swanepoel I’ve been looking at the HIV numbers here in the Philippines, and it’s both alarming and frustrating that they’re mostly ignored by the media and government departments that should be addressing the issue. HIV is the silent stalker that is coming for the Filipino youth. The epidemic, once described as “low and slow,” has transformed into the fastest-growing in the Western Pacific. From just four new cases per
29
Nov 2024
Roots of Health showcases innovative ASRH programs at the National Conference on Family Planning 2024
We’re honored to have shared our innovative approach to family planning and adolescent sexual and reproductive health at the 3rd National Family Planning Conference in the Philippines. From the I CHOOSE campaign, to our young couples’ communication workshops and our Astig ‘Pre program for men and boys, we’re driving creative strategies to promote health, well-being, and gender-equity. These programs equip young people with the skills to discuss consent, sexuality, and
