EDUCATING AND SPREADING AWARENESS: SHAPE TRAINING CONDUCTED FOR BSPO OFFICERS

SHAPE Training for the BSPOs

41 Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPO) participated in a three-day training on SHAPE (Sexually Healthy and Personally Empowered Adolescent) from March 4–6, 2025, at the Bahay Tulogan in Barangay Tankulan. Conducted by the Manolo Fortich Population Development (PopDev) Division, the SHAPE training addresses adolescent concerns, particularly in the area of sexuality, and empowers young people to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

The SHAPE training is a program developed by the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) under its Adolescent Health and Development Program (AHDP). “It is imperative to train all BSPOs regarding the SHAPE Modules since one of their tasks in their respective barangays is to impart to all 10 to 19-year-olds the important aspect of puberty which all adolescents are experiencing during this stage,” said Population Program Officer Christelyn Aguro. She also emphasized that the training aimed to empower BSPOs by providing them with relevant and accurate information that they can relay to adolescents, with the goal of reducing teenage pregnancies in the municipality.

The training covered various topics, including the physical changes adolescents undergo, male and female fertility, teenage pregnancies, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Discussions also included nurturing sexuality, building healthy relationships with family and peers, developing self-esteem, making responsible decisions, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. These sessions were facilitated by PPO III Christelyn Aguro, PPO I Irish Cento, PPO I Verna Timones, Registered Nurse Avelino Calotes, and Local Youth Development Office Staff Bryn Axel Tamula.

One of the participants, Janice T. Dagasuhan, a BSPO from Barangay Sankanan, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge to enhance their service. “It was a challenge to us on how we can help our adolescents to become more prepared and responsible when it comes to decision-making, since they are still very young when it comes to it. I would like to thank POPDEV Manolo and the POPDEV Province for this initiative and opportunity for all the BSPO to learn and be equipped with the SHAPE training,” stated Dagasuhan.

This initiative, spearheaded by the local government through PopDev, highlights its commitment to holistic community development, with a primary focus on promoting adolescent welfare through education and empowerment. The training aimed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of adolescent development, covering not only the biological and physiological aspects of puberty but also the complexities of reproductive health.