The UPV Balay Balay Child Minding Center (BBCMC) conducted a Parents’ Orientation on August 18, 2023 at the College of Management rooms, UPV Iloilo City campus. It was attended by parents, guardians, and caregivers of children admitted to BBCMC Iloilo City and Miagao campuses.
The said orientation sought to heighten the awareness and sensitivity of parents and guardians on various gender-related issues and concerns. 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.
The event started with a Gender Awareness and Sensitivity Orientation, with Asst. Prof. Ysabella P. Cainglet, Director of the UPV Gender and Development Program (GDP) as the resource speaker. She discussed basic GAD concepts, gender relations and dynamics, and gender-related laws. Asst. Prof. Cainglet also gave an overview of GDP and its role in sustaining the operations of BBCMC. It was followed by an Anti-Sexual Harassment Orientation by Asst. Prof. Aniceta Patricia T. Alingasa-Aguirre, Coordinator of the UPV Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment. In her presentation, she discussed the provisions of the UP Anti-Sexual Harassment Code, and emphasized the importance of teaching children about boundaries and consent. Lastly, Ms. Raquel N. Ningas, Day Care Worker I of BBCMC, presented the policies, guidelines, and activities of the center. She also explained the roles and responsibilities of the parents and guardians.
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 and UPV project-based personnel, and graduate and undergraduate students. Remaining slots are given to children of UPV alumni, and grandchildren of retirees, as well as children of working parents from the surrounding community and government agencies.
One of the main objectives of BBCMC is to provide children with an opportunity for socialization, appropriate nurturing, values orientation and gender sensitivity at early levels of development. Children at this age learn through imitation, and parents and caregivers play a vital 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 GDP.
BBCMC in Iloilo City and Miagao campuses will have their opening of classes for SY 2023-2024 this coming September 4, 2023.
For more information about the BBCMC, you may visit their Facebook Page (UPV Balay Balay Child Minding Center).
