On 28–29 May 2025, the University of the Philippines Open University Foundation, Inc. (UPOUFI), through the University of the Philippines Open University Faculty of Management and Development Studies (UPOU-FMDS), hosted a two-day event titled “Preliminary Review of the Child Rights-Based Public Finance Course.” Held at SEAMEO INNOTECH in Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, the event brought together key stakeholders to assess the course content and delivery process before its full online implementation. The activity also aimed to gather valuable feedback from members of the Public Finance for Children (PF4C) Technical Working Group (TWG).

Attendees included representatives from various partner institutions such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), Social Watch Philippines (SWP), Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), and the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP).

Representing UNICEF Philippines was Ms. Lea Marasigan, Social Policy Specialist. The UPOU team was led by Dr. Augusto Rodriguez, Social Policy Project Leader, along with Senior Lecturer Regina Mendoza-Armiendo, the course’s Module Developer. They were joined by Mr. Lexter Mangubat (Videographer/Instructional Designer), Ms. Dona Lyn Piamonte and Ms. Sydney Rovin Macahiya (Research Associates), and Ms. Eunice Laarnie Simon (Program Assistant). From the CWC, Mr. Elino Bardillon (Planning Officer V) and Ms. Julie Ann Delen (Planning Officer I) attended. Social Watch Philippines was represented by Ms. Faith I. Bacon (SWP Fellow) and Mr. Alec Quitalig (Senior Budget Specialist). BLGF was represented by Ms. Gabrielle Isip (Senior Tax Specialist) and Ms. Althea Ebrada (Statistician I). Representing ULAP was Ms. Maricor Anne Cauton (Finance and Admin Director), while Ms. Amelia De Guia (Senior Policy Officer) represented the LCP.

Dr. Augusto Rodriguez began the session by introducing the online course and the Learning Management System (LMS). He and Senior Lecturer Mendoza-Armiendo then presented the course content and its LMS features. The course covers essential topics such as Child Rights-Based Public Finance, Social Sector Public Finance Management, Fiscal Space, and Public Finance Management Systems. These modules are designed to align public financial systems with the realization of child rights. After the presentation, TWG members were encouraged to explore the modules on the LMS and complete the assessments to experience the course as end users.

Following the LMS exploration, participants engaged in an active discussion and brainstorming session. The feedback provided during this session aimed to ensure the relevance and practical application of the modules for government professionals and stakeholders involved in advancing child rights through public finance. The course is part of a broader project titled “Development of Executive Course on Child Protection and Child Rights-Based Public Finance Online Learning Course/Modules,” spearheaded by UPOUFI and supported by UNICEF Philippines.

The event aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). 

Written by: Eunice Laarnie Simon • Edited by: Larry N. Cruz

Sustainable Development Goals

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