KAIBIGAN ERMITA OUTREACH FOUNDATION, INC.

22/08/2026

𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚-𝑶𝒘𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒄𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 | 𝑲𝑬𝑶𝑭𝑰 𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒄𝒚 2026 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈

On August 15, 2026, Kaibigan Ermita Outreach Foundation, Inc. (KEOFI) brought together Community Leaders, DIWA youth leaders, and staff for the Advocacy 2026 Planning at the KEOFI office, facilitated by Executive Director and Management Team Head Ms. Susan Biteng.

The activity introduced and deepened participants’ understanding of the 2026 KEOFI Child Protection Advocacy Framework, emphasizing that advocacy goes beyond raising awareness. It is a continuing process of helping people understand issues, participate, work together, take responsibility, and sustain action for the protection of children.

Central to the discussion was KEOFI’s direction toward community-owned advocacy. Rather than starting by simply identifying activities to conduct, participants were encouraged to first understand the child protection issues affecting their communities, identify the changes they want to contribute to, and determine realistic actions together with children and youth, families, community members, duty-bearers, and other stakeholders.

Through discussions, reflection activities, and workshops, participants began developing and strengthening their respective advocacy plans based on actual community concerns. The presentations also provided opportunities for Community Leaders, DIWA youth leaders, and KEOFI staff to exchange perspectives, provide feedback, identify areas requiring further research, and explore opportunities for coordination and partnership.

The session also introduced KEOFI’s two approaches to advocacy for 2026: community-based advocacy and digital advocacy through the KEOFI E-Learning Management System (E-LMS). The E-LMS is an innovative digital learning platform designed to make learning and advocacy resources more accessible and engaging for children, youth, parents, volunteers, and community partners. It will serve as an online learning hub where users can access educational modules, advocacy materials, training resources, and interactive learning activities that promote children’s rights, strengthen child protection awareness, and encourage meaningful participation.

As part of this initiative, KEOFI also plans to share the E-LMS with its NGO network, with KEOFI taking the lead in expanding its reach to more children and communities. Through the platform, KEOFI aims to strengthen collaborative child protection work not only among partner NGOs, but also with duty-bearers and other key stakeholders who have important roles in promoting and protecting children’s rights. In this way, the E-LMS will complement community-based advocacy by providing another space for learning, participation, collaboration, and sustained child protection advocacy.

The active participation of Community Leaders and DIWA youth leaders was especially valuable in ensuring that the planning process remained connected to the realities experienced at the grassroots level. While participants recognized that the new approach would require greater responsibility, coordination, and engagement with different stakeholders, they also saw opportunities to strengthen collective action within their communities.

As KEOFI continues to move from organization-led activities toward community-owned advocacy, the direction remains clear: child protection is a shared responsibility, and lasting change requires communities, children and youth, duty-bearers, and partners to understand, participate, work together, and sustain action.

Together, we continue building communities where the protection of children is not only advocated for, but collectively understood, practiced, and sustained.

19/08/2026

𝐊𝐄𝐎𝐅𝐈 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

On August 14, 2026, the Board of Directors of Kaibigan Ermita Outreach Foundation, Inc. (KEOFI) held its third regular Board meeting for the year at the Manila Elks Club in Makati, together with KEOFI’s Executive Director and Finance Officer.

As part of the regular agenda, the Board received the Director’s Report, covering key program, partnership, network, and organizational developments during the past three months of operations, as well as the Finance Report, providing updates on the Foundation’s financial position and related matters.

The meeting provided the Board with an opportunity to review KEOFI’s recent accomplishments, discuss ongoing concerns and priorities, and provide guidance on matters related to the organization’s programs and operations.

Following the meeting, the gathering became even more meaningful as KEOFI held a simple birthday celebration for Ma’am Nena Ortoll, one of the Foundation’s long-time Board members. A simple luncheon was shared, along with a special performance dedicated to Ma’am Nena in celebration of her birthday.

The occasion was also an opportunity for KEOFI to express its heartfelt appreciation for the love, generosity, and unwavering support that Ma’am Nena has extended to the Foundation throughout the years. Her kindness and continued commitment have been a meaningful part of KEOFI’s journey and its work with children, families, and communities.

Happy Birthday, Ma’am Nena! 🎂💐 KEOFI is deeply grateful for the love and generosity you continue to share with the organization. We wish you good health, happiness, and many more meaningful years ahead.

14/08/2026

📌𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝

On August 4–5, 2026, the Kaibigan Ermita Outreach Foundation, Inc. (KEOFI) conducted its Organizational Half-Year Evaluation in Tagaytay City, bringing together its staff to reflect on the organization’s progress during the first half of 2026 and identify priorities and areas for improvement for the remaining months of the year.

An important part of the evaluation was ensuring that the discussions were grounded in the actual experiences and realities of the communities KEOFI works with. The data used during the evaluation were generated and processed from the ground up, drawing directly from the experiences, observations, and feedback shared by KEOFI’s partner People’s Organizations (POs), community leaders, children, families, and program staff. This allowed the team to look beyond organizational reports and management perspectives and better understand what is happening at the community level.

Led by KEOFI’s Executive Director, the two-day activity provided each program with an opportunity to review its accomplishments, identify gaps, share insights, and determine how its services and approaches can be further strengthened. These discussions also helped the organization identify areas where programs can better respond to the needs and realities raised by the communities themselves.

The evaluation also provided an opportunity to discuss KEOFI’s continuing advocacy work, particularly on child protection. For KEOFI, advocacy is a continuing process of helping people understand, participate, work together, take responsibility, and sustain action for the protection of children. This guides the organization in ensuring that its advocacy efforts go beyond individual activities and contribute to meaningful and lasting change within communities and partner networks.

After the Mid-Year Evaluation sessions, KEOFI staff also had the opportunity to spend a short time together for bonding and recreation. These moments provided space to relax, connect with one another, and strengthen team relationships following two days of meaningful discussions, reflection, and planning.

Through continuous reflection, community participation, collaboration, and stronger teamwork, KEOFI remains committed to improving its programs and strengthening its work with children, families, communities, and partners toward the protection and well-being of every child. 💚

13/08/2026

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞.🌱📊

For many years, Kaibigan Foundation has worked in partnership with five People’s Organizations (POs), supporting them in strengthening their leadership, programs, and capacity to respond to the needs of their members and communities. As these organizations continue to move toward greater sustainability and self-reliance, strengthening their systems for planning, monitoring, and learning has become increasingly important.

The effort to improve Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) among the five POs has been ongoing for some time. Simply put, M&E helps an organization know whether it is doing what it planned to do and, more importantly, whether its efforts are actually creating positive changes for its members and community. Monitoring means regularly checking the progress of activities and plans, while evaluation helps the organization understand what worked, what did not, what changed, and what needs to be improved.

From July 15–24, Kaibigan Foundation conducted a series of M&E meetings with all five POs to further review and strengthen their focus areas, indicators, and M&E plans.

Together, we looked at how their activities can better respond to the needs of their members and beneficiaries, how broad concerns can be translated into more focused areas of work, and how both quantitative and qualitative indicators can help us understand not only what was done, but also what changed because of what was done.

More importantly, the discussions helped our PO leaders appreciate that Monitoring and Evaluation is more than counting participants, listing activities, or completing documentation. It encourages organizations to continuously ask:

“𝘈𝘯𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘣𝘢𝘨𝘰? 𝘗𝘢𝘢𝘯𝘰 𝘪𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘺𝘢𝘳𝘪? 𝘈𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘢𝘯𝘰 𝘯𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘨𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵𝘰?”

Each PO also identified areas where it can further strengthen its M&E system - from refining indicators and improving documentation to making clearer connections between activities, outputs, and intended outcomes.

This continuing process is an important part of helping our partner People’s Organizations become more intentional, accountable, responsive, and increasingly self-reliant - organizations that are able not only to implement activities, but also to learn from their experience, measure their progress, and make better decisions for their members and communities.

31/07/2026

28/07/2026

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝

Kaibigan Ermita Outreach Foundation, Inc. (KEOFI) proudly joined fellow KinderNotHilfe (KNH) partners from across the Philippines at the 2026 CAR (Children at Risk) Cluster Forum held on July 21–24, 2026 at Bethel Hotel, Dumaguete City.

The four-day forum brought together organizations committed to promoting children's rights, child protection, and meaningful child participation through learning, collaboration, and strategic planning. Guided by the Tacloban Declaration and the Unified National Children's Agenda, participants reflected on the current realities faced by children and explored practical and innovative approaches to ensure that every child grows up in a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment.

One meaningful part of KEOFI's participation in the forum was the opportunity for our Executive Director, Ms. Susan G. Biteng, to serve as one of the resource speakers during the thematic session on "Responding to Prevent Children's Engagement in Risky Workplaces and Labor Activities." She shared KEOFI's experience through her presentation, "Integrating Child Protection in Small Fund Livelihood Initiatives in Urban Settings," highlighting that preventing child labor requires more than livelihood assistance alone. She presented KEOFI's whole-of-community approach, where families, communities, schools, local government, civil society, and children themselves work together to address the root causes of child labor. By integrating child protection into livelihood initiatives, strengthening families, organizing communities, building responsive local support systems, and ensuring children remain in school, KEOFI promotes safe, nurturing, and protective environments where children are empowered to grow and thrive, free from exploitation.

KEOFI was also honored to receive two organizational recognitions during the forum, affirming our commitment to quality, accountability, and excellence in program and financial management: Top 7 – Timely Submission and Full Compliance with KinderNotHilfe Standards and Requirements for the 2025 General Annual Report and Top 9 – Timely Submission and Compliance with KinderNotHilfe Standards and Requirements for the 2025 Audited Financial Statements

These recognitions reflect the collective dedication, hard work, and professionalism of the entire KEOFI team in ensuring transparency, accountability, and high-quality reporting in support of our mission to serve children and families.

Throughout the forum, participants engaged in rich discussions on:
• Child safeguarding and child participation
• Preventing child labor and addressing its root causes through economic strengthening
• Case management, legal processes, and child protection mechanisms
• Advocacy at the local, regional, and national levels
• Organizing and empowering children and youth as active partners in development
• Strategic collaboration among child-focused organizations

One of the highlights of the forum was the field exposure in Bayawan City and Santa Catalina, where participants met children, youth leaders, schools, and community partners to witness inspiring community-based child protection initiatives and hear firsthand stories of resilience, participation, and transformation.

The forum concluded with renewed commitments, stronger partnerships, and a shared vision of creating communities where every child is safe, heard, respected, and empowered.

KEOFI extends its sincere appreciation to KinderNotHilfe Philippines, KAPASKI, fellow partner organizations, facilitators, resource persons, children, and youth participants for organizing this meaningful gathering and for continuously fostering collaboration in advancing children's rights and protection.

Together, we continue building a future where every child is protected, every voice is valued, and every community becomes a safe place for children to thrive.

21/07/2026

𝗞𝗘𝗢𝗙𝗜 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟳𝟳𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗖𝗦𝗗 𝗠𝗶𝗱-𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝘆

On July 18, 2026, KEOFI proudly participated in the 77th NCSD Mid-Year General Assembly held at Asilo de San Vicente de Paul, joining fellow NCSD member organizations in strengthening partnerships and advancing child protection initiatives.

The assembly featured updates on NCSD accomplishments, financial and membership reports, and discussions highlighting the importance of networking in building stronger and more sustainable advocacy efforts.

During the Gallery Walk, DIWA ng Kabataan, KEOFI's youth advocacy group, led the presentation of KEOFI's child protection initiatives through an interactive booth showcasing its Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, child rights learning sessions, partnerships with local government units (LGUs), meaningful child participation initiatives, and the upcoming Kaibigan E-Learning Management System (E-LMS).

Inspired by the familiar sari-sari store, the booth symbolized KEOFI's commitment to making child protection knowledge and advocacy resources accessible to every community. Advocacy materials were presented as "essential goods," reinforcing that children's rights, protection, and participation should always be within reach.

The creative and community-centered presentation received positive feedback from fellow organizations, who commended the booth's concept and expressed interest in adapting KEOFI's child protection initiatives in their own communities.

The event concluded with a Harvesting and Partnership Plenary, where NGOs exchanged insights and explored future collaborations. KEOFI also connected with a potential mental health partner, opening new opportunities to further promote children's welfare and protection.

Together, we continue to strengthen partnerships, amplify our advocacy, and build safer, more empowered communities for every child.

17/07/2026

Kaibigan Ermita Outreach Foundation, Inc. (KEOFI) is grateful to share another meaningful milestone made possible through the spirit of partnership and community support.

During the turnover ceremony, KEOFI's Board of Directors had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Rosmito A. Rodriguez Jr., Principal of Rafael Palma Elementary School, as the Foundation formally donated 10 computer sets to the school.

These units formed part of the 26 computer sets generously donated to KEOFI through the partnership with Marlow Navigation Philippines, represented by Capt. Leo Tenorio, Marlow Navigation Philippines Ambassador, and Ms. Jeanne Araga, Compliance Manager.

As a gesture of gratitude and appreciation for Rafael Palma Elementary School's longstanding support in hosting KEOFI's major annual activities—including Balik-Eskwela, Advocacy activities, and the annual Christmas Get-Together over the past several years—KEOFI proudly shared these computer sets with the school community to help strengthen its educational resources and support its learners.

KEOFI extends its heartfelt thanks to Marlow Navigation Philippines for making this initiative possible and to Rafael Palma Elementary School for being a valued partner in serving children and families in the community.

11/07/2026

🌱𝑷𝑶𝑺𝑰𝑻𝑰𝑽𝑬 𝑷𝑨𝑹𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑮: 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑷𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆🌱

From June 30, July 1, and July 3, 2026, the Community Organization
Program (COP) of Kaibigan Foundation (KEOFI) successfully conducted a three-day Positive Parenting Seminar, providing a safe space for learning, reflection, and meaningful conversations about raising children with empathy, respect, and intentionality.

The sessions were facilitated by Mr. James Honculada, Child Rights
Programming Managerof Kindernothilfe, a long- time partner of KEOFI. He is also the creator of Positive Parenting Matters, an online platform that promotes practical and evidence-based positive parenting approaches for Filipino families.

Throughout the three sessions, participants explored the principles of Modeling, Relationship, and Intentionality (MRI) in parenting,
emphasizing that children learn more from what they consistently
experience and observe at home than from what they are merely told. Discussions highlighted the importance of open communication, emotional regulation, spending quality time with children, understanding love languages, and practicing discipline rooted in guidance rather than fear.

One message resonated strongly among the participants:

"𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏."

Parents reflected on the importance of listening first before
reacting, understanding their children's emotions, and creating spaces where children feel safe, heard, and valued.

Out of the 40 participants who joined the activity, 31 successfully
completed all three sessions, demonstrating their commitment to
becoming more intentional and compassionate parents.

Several participants also shared the positive changes they hope to
apply in their homes following the seminar:

"Yung pagiging mainitin ang ulo. Kadalasan mas nauuna yung init ng ulo bago pakinggan ang aking anak. Pero dahil sa training, nalaman ko na mali yung ginagawa ko. Dapat pakinggan ko muna sila bago ako mag-react sa mga bagay-bagay."
("𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘐 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.")

"Nais kong isabuhay ang prinsipyong 'Connection before Correction.' Sisikapin kong maglaan ng mas maraming oras na makinig at makipag-usap nang maayos sa aking anak, sa halip na agad magalit o magturo ng leksyon kapag may nagawang mali."
("𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 '𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.'
𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯.")

"Isa sa mga nais kong isabuhay ay ang mabigyan ng oras ang mga anak at pakinggan ang mga sinasabi nila."
("𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘺.")

The feedback gathered after the seminar reflected a common commitment among participants: to listen before reacting, spend more quality time with their children, communicate with empathy, and become positive role models through respectful and compassionate parenting.

As the seminar reminded us, children do not grow by accident—they grow

09/07/2026

Kaibigan Foundation is grateful to welcome New Coast Hotel Manila as a new partner through its Corporate Social Responsibility program.

Through this partnership, KEOFI and New Coast Hotel Manila will work together to support the educational and developmental activities of 100 children under Kaibigan Foundation’s care.
During the MOA signing, Kaibigan Foundation was represented by its Board President, Mr. Terence Harvey Co; Executive Director, Ms. Susan Biteng; and Finance Officer, Ms. Flor Balanza.

Representing New Coast Hotel Manila, through its CSR arm, New Coast Leisure Foundation, Inc., were Ms. She Reyes, Chairman, and Ms. Azenith Allego, Co-Chairman.

We look forward to this meaningful collaboration in creating more opportunities for children to learn, grow, and thrive.

Thank you, New Coast Hotel Manila, for sharing in our mission of service and empowerment for children.