Updates: Department Activities

The Department of Family Life and Child Development (DFLCD) showcased its commitment to student support and quality service delivery at the QA Husayan Fair 2026: Empowering Excellence through a Culture of Quality, held at the Palma Hall Lobby from September 8–11, 2026. The UP Diliman Quality Assurance Office organized the event, which featured exhibits, conversations, and shared practices highlighting how quality assurance is lived across the university.

Department Chair and Quality Assurance (QA) Officer Dr. Charla Rochella Saamong and Project Assistant, Mr. John Robert Betic presented two posters reflecting the DFLCD’s initiatives.

• “Kalinga sa Saliksik: Enriching BS FLCD Students’ Research Experience through an Integrated Support System”  highlights innovations to enrich BSFLCD students’ research experience, including a thesis manual, faculty guide, and team‑teaching in FLCD 199 classes to strengthen proposals and manuscripts.

•  “Pamilyang FLCD: Cultivating and Nurturing Student Well-Being through the Informal and Formal Supports” showcases the Student Welfare Committee (SWC), established in 2020, which developed the undergraduate and graduate student guides, welfare protocols, townhall meetings, and private online groups to support academic and personal well‑being.

These efforts reflect DFLCD’s belief that as student needs evolve, systems must adapt to provide knowledge, guidance, and holistic support.

The Department of Family Life and Child Development (DFLCD) warmly welcomed its new students for Academic Year 2025–2026 through two orientation events held on August 11, 2025.

For undergraduate students—including first-year students, shiftees, and transferees—the DFLCD joined the College of Home Economics (CHE) Welcome Orientation held at the UP CDC Auditorium. Organized by the Office of the College Secretary, the event offered students a chance to learn more about the academic programs of the College, understand key university policies and student conduct guidelines, and connect with peers and faculty in a supportive environment.

Asst. Prof. Lester John C. Lim, College Secretary and DFLCD faculty member, emphasized the importance of such gatherings: “Attending orientation helps students feel more confident and informed as they begin their journey. We want this batch to start strong and feel supported every step of the way.”

Later that afternoon, the DFLCD hosted a separate online orientation via Zoom for its incoming graduate students enrolled in the Master of Family Life and Child Development (MFLCD) and Diploma in Early Childhood Development (DECD) programs. Department Chair Assoc. Prof. Charla Rochella S. Saamong welcomed the students and introduced key resources and protocols to guide them through their academic journey. The newly appointed Department Graduate Committee (DGC) Chair, Asst. Prof. Josephine Louise F. Jamero, was also introduced during the session.

With six new MFLCD students and three new DECD students this semester, the orientation served as a meaningful first step in building a strong foundation for their graduate studies.

As the new academic year unfolds, the DFLCD looks forward to walking alongside its students—fostering growth, deepening understanding, and shaping future advocates for child and family well-being.

(written by Asst. Prof. Lester John C. Lim)

The National Launch of the Child Rights Research Agenda (CRRA) was held on June 26, 2026, at Miriam College, Quezon City, marking a milestone in the country’s collective effort to advance evidence-based policies and programs for Filipino children. The event formally unveiled the nation’s research priorities for children and strengthened collaboration among government agencies, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and development partners committed to promoting and protecting children’s rights.

Representing the University of the Philippines Diliman was Asst. Prof. Lester John C. Lim, a faculty member of the Department of Family Life and Child Development (DFLCD), College of Home Economics, and the university’s official representative in the Research Consortium on Children’s Rights (RCCR). His participation reflected UP’s continuing engagement in national efforts to strengthen research and advocacy for child protection, family well-being, and inclusive education.

The Child Rights Research Agenda (CRRA) serves as the country’s unified framework for guiding research initiatives that address the most pressing issues affecting children. Developed through extensive consultation and collaboration, the CRRA identifies priority areas such as child protection, health and nutrition, education, participation, and digital safety. It ensures that research outputs directly inform policy formulation, program development, and community-based interventions that uphold the rights of every Filipino child.

Meanwhile, the Research Consortium on Children’s Rights (RCCR), a multi-sectoral body led by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), brings together academic institutions, government agencies, and partner organizations to coordinate and implement the CRRA. The DFLCD humbly sits as one of the members from the academe, contributing its expertise in child and family development to ensure that research initiatives are inclusive, contextually grounded, and responsive to both national and global contexts.

The launch of the CRRA symbolizes a shared national commitment to building a future where every child’s rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled. Through the RCCR’s collaborative network, institutions like UP Diliman and the DFLCD continue to help shape a research culture that empowers communities and strengthens the foundations of child-centered development in the Philippines.

The Department of Family Life and Child Development (DFLCD) Student Welfare Committee spearheaded a Townhall Meeting for BSFLCD students today, May 12, 2026, at the FLERC Room of the UP Child Development Center. The event gathered 32 students for an engaging session that combined updates, dialogue, and community building.

Assoc. Prof. Charla Rochella Saamong, PhD opened the program by emphasizing that “students are the center of the BSFLCD program, and we want to amplify the services for you. This is also an avenue to be updated with what is happening from the program.”

The townhall featured a short icebreaker to set a warm and inclusive tone, followed by three key objectives:

• Launch of the revised BSFLCD Student Guide – providing students with updated policies and resources to navigate their academic journey.

• Relaunch of the Critical Incident Report System – ensuring a safe and confidential channel for student concerns.

• Announcement of the upcoming AUN QA assessment – highlighting BSFLCD’s commitment to international quality standards, with student participation as a vital component.

The program concluded with an open forum where students shared insights and questions, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the meeting. Light lunch were served.

The Department of Family Life and Child Development (DFLCD) Student Welfare Committee hosted a Kumustahan session via Zoom on 4 May 2026, for graduate students enrolled in FLCD 300 (Graduate Thesis). The event served as an avenue for the department to check in on students’ thesis journeys and explore ways to provide meaningful support. 

Ten graduate students attended the session, sharing both challenges and aspirations. 

A key concern raised was the need for a dedicated space where graduate students can regularly meet and write their theses together, fostering collaboration and focus. 

The session was thoughtfully facilitated by Asst. Prof. Silahis Peckley, who guided the conversation with warmth and encouragement. The committee emphasized that Kumustahan is not about monitoring progress, but about genuine care --listening to students, affirming their efforts, and building a stronger sense of community. 

The initiative reflects the department’s commitment to student welfare, ensuring that the thesis journey is not only an academic requirement but also a supported and shared experience.

The UP Department of Family Life and Child Development (UPDFLCD) attended the culminating ceremony of Kayang Kaya Para sa Bata, a certificate program for the upskilling of Child Development Workers (CDWs), held on April 13, 2025 at the municipal gym of Baras, Rizal.

The event recognized the achievement of 49 CDWs who successfully completed six months of intensive training and three months of mentoring. Notably, 10 CDWs who applied for the National Certificate III (NC III) for Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) also passed the qualifying exam, marking a significant milestone in their professional journey.

Kayang Kaya Para sa Bata is a project of the Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. (KCFI), funded by the Rotary Club Global, aimed at empowering CDWs with developmentally appropriate, child-centered teaching strategies, digital resources, and certification to strengthen early childhood education. Through its partnership with KCFI, UP DFLCD faculty members played a vital role in designing, writing, implementing, and mentoring the CDWs of Baras, Rizal.

UPDFLCD’s engagement in this project supports the newly enacted Republic Act No. 12199, the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System Act, which establishes an integrated system for holistic child development from birth to age eight. By professionalizing CDWs and strengthening Child Development Centers, the department contributes to advancing quality early childhood care and education in the Philippines.