On the second day of the study tour in the Philippines, the EPF delegation focused on the challenges and opportunities in ensuring young people's access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services. The day's programme included direct engagement with healthcare providers and youth advocates, providing critical insights into the barriers young people face in accessing contraceptives, HIV testing and sexuality education.
In the morning, the delegation visited the Community and Family Services International (CFSI) field office in Pasay City, where project coordinator Genesis Faderogao and CFSI representatives welcomed them. The purpose of the visit was to showcase adolescent-friendly SRHR services, particularly in light of recent legal developments affecting access to HIV counselling and family planning services. A community walk through Barangays 90, 91 and 92 allowed the delegates to experience first-hand the realities of adolescents' SRHR needs. Youth community volunteers guided the delegation through their neighbourhood, sharing their lived experiences and the impact of CFSI's work. The walk included stops at a public mural reflecting local youth perspectives on SRHR, and at marketplaces where informal discussions often take place. The walk ended at a local SRH clinic that provides free services to adolescents. Throughout the visit, young people talked about how CFSI had supported them, how they became volunteers and the outreach work they now do to support their peers.
The site visit concluded with a dialogue at the Youth Activity Center (YAC), where representatives of key health and education organisations provided insights into existing adolescent health programmes: Dr. Annabelle C. Sucuano, SRHR Programme Manager, Médecins du Monde (MdM), discussed their work in expanding access to reproductive health services. Dr Rechel Reyes, representative of the Department of Education (DepEd) Pasay Division, presented the adolescent SRHR programmes implemented in schools and communities. Dr Vlademire Domingo, Adolescent Health Coordinator at the City Health Office/ Adolescent Health and Development Council - Pasay City, outlined current initiatives to improve adolescents' access to health care.
In the afternoon, the delegation met with Senator Risa Hontiveros, one of the most progressive voices in the Philippine Senate and a strong advocate for human rights and gender equality. Senator Hontiveros is committed to advancing key legislative measures, including the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) bill and measures to address teenage pregnancy.