Last 09 June 2022, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) finally launched a 6-year multi-sectoral project funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) called TOGETHER or Uniting Towards Gender Equality for the Enjoyment of Women and Girls’ Total Health and Rights.  Project TOGETHER aims to increase the enjoyment of health-related rights for the most vulnerable children, adolescent girls, and boys, and women and men in Cambodia, Kenya, the Philippines, and Uganda, especially those with intersecting vulnerabilities in indigenous, remote, or resettlement settings.

In the Philippines, Project TOGETHER is being implemented in the Province of Camarines Sur, targeting the municipalities of Buhi, Caramoan, Garchitorena, Ocampo, and Siruma.

Counsellor John Lok of the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines graced the event with a special message on behalf of GAC. The grand project launch was attended by stakeholders from the MLGU of the covered municipalities, the PLGU of Camarines Sur, and representatives and regional directors of national government agencies such as DOH, POPCOM, NCIP, DSWD, DepEd, and NNC; along with partner academe CBSUA, media partners Bicol Idol FM and Hope Channel Philippines, and the Southern Luzon Mission of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Local NGOs advocating for SRHR such as GentleMen Bicol, FPOP, and Ateneo de Naga University College of Law- ILAO likewise attended.

The event was concluded with the Signing of a Commitment Wall by all stakeholders, followed by a “Sayaw ng Lahi” of the Naga College Foundation Cultural Arts Center.