The UPV Balay Balay Child Minding Center (BBCMC) conducted a Parents’ Orientation “Pagkilalahay 2024” on 30 July 2024 at the College of Management Building, UPV Iloilo City campus. The orientation was attended by parents, guardians and caregivers of children enrolled in BBCMC Iloilo City and Miagao campuses.
The participants were introduced to the programs and services of the UPV Gender and Development Program through a video presentation. It was followed by a GAD orientation given by Mr. Sashah B. Dioso, member of the UPV GAD Focal Point System and University Research Associate of the UPV Center for West Visayan Studies. In his lecture, Mr. Dioso discussed basic GAD concepts, gender relations and dynamics, and gender-related laws.
Prof. Aniceta Patricia T. Alingasa-Aguirre, Coordinator of the UPV Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment, also gave a lecture on the role of parents and guardians in providing children with a safe space and an environment that embraces diversity and inclusivity. She also discussed the importance of teaching children about consent and boundaries.
Ms. Raquel N. Ningas, Day Care Worker I of BBCMC, presented the policies, guidelines, and activities of the center. In her presentation, she also explained the roles and responsibilities of the parents and guardians. Moreover, Ms. Ningas, together with other BBCMC teachers, demonstrated to the parents and guardians some of the activities included in the daily rhythm of BBCMC such as circle time and transition songs.
The said orientation aims to stimulate the sensitivity of parents and guardians to various gender issues and concerns, and enable them to re-examine their views, beliefs, and opinions concerning gender relations. It also served as a venue to discuss the policies, guidelines and activities of BBCMC, and to introduce the personnel of the center to the parents.
BBCMC is an extension project of UPV GDP that supports the implementation of Executive Order No. 340, mandating government institutions to respond to the needs of working parents by providing a place for socialization for 3–4 year-old children while they are at work. The center prioritizes children, grandchildren and legal wards of UPV employees, UPV project-based personnel, and graduate and undergraduate students. Remaining slots are given to children of UPV alumni, grandchildren of retirees, and children of working parents from the surrounding community and government agencies.
One of the main objectives of BBCMC is to provide children with opportunities for socialization, appropriate nurturing, values orientation, and gender sensitivity at early levels of development. Young children learn through imitation, and parents and guardians play a crucial role as the first teachers and models of the children. BBCMC parents and guardians are required to attend gender-sensitizing activities and to participate in various gender-related campaigns spearheaded by UPV GDP.
BBCMC in Iloilo City and Miagao campuses will have their opening of classes for SY 2024-2025 on 12 August 2024.
