Cities Lead the Way in Family Planning and Adolescent Health—Webinar Series to Spotlight Local Innovations
Eight cities will take center stage next week in a three-day webinar series hosted by the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) through The Challenge Initiative (TCI)-Philippines, a global program supporting high-impact practices in family planning (FP) and adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH).
The event, titled “Sustaining Momentum: Driving Leadership in Building Responsive Systems for Family Planning and Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health”, aims to showcase how local governments have taken bold, data-driven actions to improve access to reproductive health services. The webinar series will run on May 26, 28, and 30, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, via Zoom.
Launched in 2020, TCI is a five-year global platform co-managed with the William S. Gates Sr. Institute for Population and Reproductive Health. In the Philippines, TCI has worked closely with city governments to support policies and programs that reduce adolescent pregnancies and improve access to FP services. The program encourages cities to adopt self-reliant, gender-responsive strategies that empower women and youth.
The cities of Iligan, Naga, Santiago, Biñan, Mandaue, Manila, Iloilo, and Las Piñas have been recognized as Global Self-Reliant Cities in FP and AYSRH under the program.
Each city’s approach reflects local leadership and innovation:
- Iligan City expanded FP and AYSRH services by empowering women and girls with access to information and health services.
- Naga City focused on youth-centered policies and community mobilization to address teenage pregnancy.
- Santiago City promoted peer education and youth leadership as a tool for reproductive health education.
- Biñan City tailored FP services to meet the real-life needs of women through integrated outreach.
- Mandaue City launched a Women’s Health Caravan to bring services closer to communities.
- Manila City used its Bayanihan Outreach Program to reach underserved areas with FP services.
- Iloilo City created adolescent-friendly healthcare environments using culturally sensitive, gender-aware strategies.
- Las Piñas City developed a multisectoral approach by aligning efforts across health, education, and social services.
The webinar series will allow participants to hear directly from local officials, program leaders, and partners about their experiences in building responsive and sustainable systems. Participants will also gain insights into effective strategies that can be applied to other cities and towns across the country.
Webinar Details:
- Day 1 – May 26: Cities at the Forefront (no CPD units applied)
Join via Zoom: https://bit.ly/zff-tciwebinar1 - Day 2 – May 28: Expanding Family Planning Services to Priority Populations through Targeted Outreach
(with accredited CPD units: Medicine: 1; Nursing: 3; Midwifery: 1)
Register: https://bit.ly/zff-tciwebinar2 - Day 3 – May 30: Expanding Access to Adolescents through Adolescent-friendly Health Services
(with accredited CPD units: Medicine: 1; Nursing: 2; Midwifery: 1)
Register: https://bit.ly/zff-tciwebinar3
The webinar marks both a culmination and a new chapter for these cities as they continue to strengthen systems that protect and promote reproductive health. ZFF encourages health workers, local policymakers, advocates, and community leaders to join the discussion and explore how these stories can inspire wider change.
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Day 3 of the The Challenge Initiative (TCI)-Philippines Webinar Series (May 30, 2025) featured Las Piñas and Iloilo’s efforts to make health services more responsive to adolescents. Speakers highlighted referral networks, safe spaces, and youth participation. Invited reactors from the Commission on Population and Development emphasized that cities must sustain progress and ensure services remain engaging, respectful, and youth-centered.
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Day 2 of the The Challenge Initiative (TCI)-Philippines Webinar Series (May 28, 2025) focused on how the cities of Biñan, Mandaue, and Manila are reaching more women through community-based family planning. Speakers emphasized shared leadership, house-to-house services, and mobile health caravans. Dr. Manuel Dayrit of the Zuellig Family Foundation pointed to leadership, technical skills, resources, and community engagement as key success drivers.
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The Challenge Initiative-Philippines Webinar Series Day 1: Cities at the Forefront (Iligan, Naga, Santiago)
Day 1 of the The Challenge Initiative (TCI)-Philippines Webinar Series (May 26, 2025) featured Iligan, Naga, and Santiago Cities showing how strong leadership drives systems change. Mayors prioritized family planning, youth empowerment, and community collaboration to tackle teen pregnancy. “Our cities aren’t just predicting change; they’re creating it,” said Dr. Anthony Faraon, Chief of Party of TCI-Philippines at Zuellig Family Foundation, urging everyone to move beyond BEST practices and toward NEXT practices.
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The Challenge Initiative Colloquium: Maximizing Responsive Leadership and Strengthening Systems
The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), through The Challenge Initiative (TCI)-Philippines, proudly celebrates the graduation of five cities from the TCI program.
On November 28, 2024, during the TCI Graduation Colloquium, Cagayan de Oro, Dipolog, Puerto Princesa (Batch 1), Baguio, and San Jose (Batch 2) shared their success stories, innovations, and lessons learned in addressing challenges related to adolescent health and family planning.
Since 2020, these cities have collaborated with TCI-Philippines, co-managed by the William S. Gates Sr. Institute for Population and Reproductive Health and ZFF, along with the Department of Health and Commission on Population Development. Together, they have worked to create adolescent and youth-friendly communities by empowering local leaders, city teams, master coaches, and youth leaders in bridging leadership and governance. Here’s to their continued success in transforming communities!
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Five Cities Celebrate Milestone in Adolescent Health and Family Planning Efforts