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We envision a Philippines where everyone exercises their sexual and reproductive health and rights free from stigma and discrimination.

29/10/2026

At the PEERS (People Empowered to End HIV-Related Stigma) Provincial Summit, Gerry Abad, Chairman of the Committee on Health and Sanitation or the Puerto Princesa City Council, emphasized that making HIV services accessible means more than providing programs and facilities. It also means creating an environment where people can seek testing, treatment, and counseling without fear of judgment or discrimination.

He called on local government officials, health workers, and community partners to strengthen coordination, correct misinformation, and turn the concerns raised at the summit into concrete actions, policies, and more compassionate services.

Because HIV is a public health concern, not a reason to discriminate.

Read more about the PEERS HIV Summit here: https://rootsofhealth.org/palawan-summit-calls-for-stronger-action-against-hiv-stigma-as-local-program-shows-early-gains/

29/10/2026

Our Partnerships Team hard at work, exploring potential collaborations with the City Government of Manila in reducing teen pregnancy and HIV through the Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth Councils). Updates soon!

28/10/2026

At the PEERS: People Empowered to End HIV-Related Stigma Provincial Summit, Roots of Health Executive Director Amina Evangelista-Swanepoel highlighted how stigma can be reinforced by our own systems: in a look, a judgmental question, or a clinic with no privacy.

We see this every day at Roots of Health. For 17 years, we have provided sexual and reproductive health services to women, young people, and communities across Palawan. Through our HIV program, we offer community-based screening, counseling, and linkage to treatment. This year alone, our team has screened 1,014 people, identified 26 reactive cases, and linked 21 to care. Yet one of the biggest challenges remains getting people through the door.

That’s why we brought together people living with HIV, local government leaders, health workers, advocates, and community partners to take a hard look at what needs to change in our systems and share best practices in reducing stigma together.

Ending HIV stigma takes all of us. Let us champion inclusive, stigma-free healthcare. Let us listen to people living with HIV and include them as essential partners in shaping response.

Read more about the PEERS provincial HIV summit: https://rootsofhealth.org/palawan-summit-calls-for-stronger-action-against-hiv-stigma-as-local-program-shows-early-gains/

26/10/2026

✨PEERS: People Empowered to End HIV-Related Stigma ✨

HIV screening and treatment are available in Palawan, , so why are so many people stilll afraid to seek care? 💭

This is the question we tried answering during the Provincial HIV summit last week as we gathered health workers, local government officials, academics, youth community leaders, and People Living with HIV (PWH) to discuss what keeps people from accessing care and what can we do to change that.

The key takeaway? Recognizing and removing stigma around HIV is one crucial step towards our shared goal of reducing the number of HIV cases.

Each story shared by the PWH during the summit showed us change is possible when we listen to their lived experiences and turn them into action. It also reminded us that we have more to do to reduce stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings and in our communities.

From Roots of Health, thank you to everyone who joined us at the summit! Our honest and productive discussions helped identify steps that we can take together toward a future where no one is afraid to seek HIV care.

We are hopefulhat as we tackle these challenges together, we can make our communities a safer and healthier place for all! 🩷

19/10/2026

This is what youth-led advocacy looks like in Palawan. 🌴

When Filipinos think of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) or Youth Councils, they picture basketball pick-up leagues and beauty pageants – community projects that the SK usually organize with public funds. In a town called Narra, elected youth leaders are trekking (literal mountains!) to another direction and showing what SK projects can also look like. ❤️

Through Roots of Health’s leadership and advocacy training powered by the Norwegian Embassy, SK leaders across Palawan learn how to design and implement Adolescent and Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH) projects.

SK Chairperson Ian Aguinido and his team had noticed that kids from the far-flung neighborhood of Amaraywan walk over 15 kilometers just to join village activities. The community also face challenges accessing health services and reliable information, with teenage pregnancy as a particular concern.

So, after their training, they packed their teaching materials, hopped on their motorcycles, and rode through steep, rough terrain that couldn’t have otherwise been accessible by any car.

With no function hall available, the youth leaders and volunteers gathered bamboos, tarpaulins, and their determination to create a makeshift learning space.

Here, they shared lessons they had learned from Roots of Health educators, making conversations about reproductive health credible, non-judgmental, and easy to have.

They talked about puberty, body autonomy, healthy relationships, and consent. They also discussed how to recognize and protect themselves from abuse, and where to seek help when something feels wrong.

Parents joined the conversation too, which will make it easier for families to continue them beyond the community gathering.

By sharing honest and accurate information early, Ian and his team help young people make informed choices, give families the words to talk openly to each other, and remind the community that reproductive health is nothing to be ashamed of.

Later, Ian reflected on their experience: their motivation was never complicated. The SK leaders of Narra wanted their peers to grow confidently into a happier and healthier future.

And they are not stopping in Amaraywan.

Ian and team are bringing these conversations to other remote villages in Narra, proving that youth leadership is not just about organizing revelry, but also about recognizing what a community truly needs and finding a way to respond to that need, even when the road is rough. 🙌

Help us help SK leaders do more in their communities. ✨
Support our work: https://rootsofhealth.org/donate/ 🌱

15/10/2026

𝐖𝐄’𝐑𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆: 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐌𝐄𝐋) 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫

Roots of Health is looking for a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager to lead our monitoring and evaluation efforts, strengthen data quality and analysis, and help ensure that what we learn from our programs informs better decisions and interventions.

📍 Location: Puerto Princesa, Palawan

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐨:
- Develop and strengthen MEL frameworks, monitoring plans, and indicators.
- Oversee data collection, management, analysis, and quality assurance.
-Lead evaluations, research activities, and donor and government reporting.
- Support and mentor the MEL team, while building the capacity of staff and partners.
- Turn program findings into actionable insights that improve implementation and inform advocacy.
- Work with program teams, government agencies, communities, and research partners to strengthen evidence-based programming.

If you want to use data and evidence to help make health programs more effective and impactful, you're perfect for our team!

Click here for the complete job description and application procedure: https://rootsofhealth.org/job-opening-monitoring-evaluation-learning-mel-manager/

11/10/2026

Girls deserve to be heard, to make their own choices, and to dream beyond the limits others set for them.💗

At Roots of Health, we continue to work with young people, especially girls, to help them understand their rights, make informed decisions about their reproductive health, and find their voices as advocates for themselves and their communities.

This International Day of the Girl Child, we reaffirm our commitment to creating a world where girls have the support and opportunities to shape their future.

10/10/2026

Young people need more than information. They need people in their corner.

Growing up comes with questions, pressures, and decisions that aren't always easy to navigate. When young people feel alone or fear being judged, it can be harder to make informed decisions about their health or seek help when they need it.

At Roots of Health, we recognize that young people's sexual and reproductive health and their mental and emotional well-being go hand in hand.

That's why we work to provide young people with free sexual and reproductive services and mental health support.

Having trusted people who listen and take their experience seriously helps young people navigate relationships, make informed decisions, and seek care. Access to safe, respectful, nonjudgmental SRHR services, in turn, helps them feel supported and empowered to look after themselves.

This World Mental Health Day, join us in building a community that listens, cares, and helps the young people thrive.

Let's make sure no one has to navigate growing up alone.

Support our wok: rootsofhealth.org/donate

09/10/2026

It takes a village to bring quality reproductive health services and education to communities and change the lives of women, young people, and families. 🤝

Over the years, we’ve refined our programs and learnings, and we’re excited to expand and share our best practices with more communities across the Philippines.

We're grateful to the Commission on Population and Development Mimaropa for recognizing our work in Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning and Adolescent Health and Development in the region.

Tayo na and let's build healthier futures together! 🫶🏼

05/10/2026

POV: A classroom surprise trend in the Philippines

Happy Teacher’s Day to all educators who shape young minds and provide a safe space for students to thrive. 🫶

Our work in adolescent reproductive health education is possible because of the teachers who continuously advocate for the well-being of their students.

Address

455 Main Street
Puerto Princesa
10044

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm
Saturday	8am - 5pm

Website

http://www.rootsofhealth.org/

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