The Agricultural Training Institute–Regional Training Center 8 joined the nationwide observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women from November 25 to December 12, 2025, reaffirming its commitment to promoting women’s rights, child protection, and community well-being.
Through its Gender and Development (GAD) Committee, ATI-RTC 8 organized a series of activities for its staff and partner communities to raise awareness, build life skills, and encourage collective action against all forms of violence.
The campaign officially opened on November 25, 2025, with a one-day seminar for ATI-RTC 8 staff featuring sessions on Digital Literacy and Cybersecurity Awareness, led by Ms. Claire P. Fernandez of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Regional Office 8, and Basic First Aid, facilitated by Mr. Renmir Jan Maala of the Baybay City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) Emergency Response Unit. These sessions equipped participants with practical knowledge to promote safety, responsibility, and preparedness both in the workplace and at home.
As part of its community-based initiatives, ATI-RTC 8 conducted a one-day Seminar on Basic Container and Backyard Gardening for Safe Communities on November 28, 2025, in Baybay City, Leyte. The activity benefited 15 selected mother-child tandems, including malnourished children accompanied by their parents or guardians.
In collaboration with the Baybay City Health Office, ATI-RTC 8 implemented the activity titled “Nurturing Growth, Ending Violence: Container and Backyard Gardening for Safe Communities.” The initiative aimed to promote community well-being by integrating violence-prevention advocacy through a creative and meaningful approach.
The seminar featured a discussion led by Ms. Analisa A. Fernandez, Technical Support Staff, and Ms. Graciel V. Gacutan, Training Specialist II, who facilitated a hands-on demonstration on creating practical, straightforward container gardens using readily available household and backyard resources. The activity emphasized gardening as both a livelihood skill and a symbolic act reflecting the values of care, protection, and the creation of safe spaces for women and children.
Throughout the campaign period, ATI-RTC 8 also strengthened staff engagement through the VAWC Officer of the Day initiative, implemented from November 25 to December 12, 2025. Assigned officers organized interactive and educational activities such as word-forming games, doodling, bingo, and “Bring Me” games, which enhanced staff awareness and understanding of VAWC while fostering teamwork and shared responsibility.
The campaign culminated on December 12, 2025, during the ATI-RTC 8 Excel Day celebration. The final set of VAWC Officers of the Day—Mr. Christian Keruel Laurente, Mr. Anjelo Macababag, and Mr. Bethel John L. Sinon led the closing activities and games. The GAD Committee presented a synthesis and highlights of the campaign and expressed appreciation for the staff's active participation, marking the successful conclusion of the observance.
ATI-RTC 8’s participation in the 18-Day Campaign underscores that ending violence against women and children requires more than awareness—it demands action, accountability, and unity. By empowering individuals and communities, the Center stands firm in advancing a future in which women and children live free from fear, harm, and discrimination.
