PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, PALAWAN (July 17, 2025) — Officials from the Royal Norwegian Embassy visited Roots of Health (ROH) in Puerto Princesa on June 15 to 16 to learn more about the organization’s expanding work in adolescent reproductive health and HIV prevention. The visit comes as the Philippines faces one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics in the world. The delegation was led by Deputy Ambassador Geir Michalsen, who oversees the
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Jul 2025
Read our Annual Report 2024
We’ve come a long way — and we’re not done yet. We’re proud to share our 2024 Annual Report that features the year’s milestones and insights from 15 years of listening, learning, and evolving with purpose. From serving a few dozen women in 2009 to reaching millions with reproductive health services and education in 2024, the report showcases the impact of a bold, systems-based approach to health and rights in
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Jul 2025
[PRESS RELEASE] This Palawan Org Slashed Teen Pregnancy—Now It’s Helping Surigao del Norte Do the Same
SISON, SURIGAO DEL NORTE (July 13, 2025) — Roots of Health, an award-winning nonprofit in Palawan, has launched its first wave of expansion in Mindanao, working with local leaders in Surigao del Norte to strengthen youth-focused sexual and reproductive health programs. From July 8 to 12, the Roots of Health team led training sessions and built partnerships in Sison, a 4th-class municipality facing a troubling rise in teen pregnancies. The
As we join the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, we reflect on the legacy he leaves behind—a legacy of compassion, humility, and a deep commitment to the dignity of every person, especially the poor and marginalized. His leadership reminded us that faith is not about exclusion or fear, but about mercy, accompaniment, and the tireless pursuit of justice. At Roots of Health, we are guided by many of the
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Apr 2025
Breaking New Ground on our 15th Year!
Fifteen years ago, Roots of Health set out to transform lives through access to reproductive health care. Today, because of your unwavering support, we’re reaching more marginalized communities, expanding beyond Palawan, and pioneering new ways to serve. Your generosity pushes this progress, ensuring no one is left behind. Reaching the Marginalized In 2024, we focused on bringing our programs to new communities and populations: Indigenous Communities: During Indigenous Peoples (IP)
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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
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
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
