ILOILO City — The Iloilo provincial government has released P25 million in funding to five municipalities for the construction of Family and Youth Development Centers (FYDCs), a flagship initiative aimed at strengthening grassroots programs on mental health, responsible parenthood, and youth development.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. led the turnover of checks at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol on Monday, April 27, signaling the rollout of what officials described as a strategic investment in social infrastructure across local communities.
Each of the municipalities — Carles, Leon, Bingawan, San Miguel, and Oton — received P5 million to finance the construction of the two-storey facilities.
The turnover ceremony was also attended by Provincial Population Officer Atty. Ruel Von Superio.
The FYDCs are designed as centralized hubs for family- and youth-focused services, consolidating key local government programs under one roof. These include venues for Pre-Marriage Orientation and Counseling (PMOC), training programs for youth, and various population and development initiatives.
Each facility will also house office spaces for Provincial Population Office personnel assigned in the municipalities, Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPOs), and local youth institutions such as the Local Youth Development Office (LYDO), Sangguniang Kabataan, and Local Youth Development Council (LYDC).
Defensor emphasized that the initiative is not merely about building structures but about creating responsive community spaces.
“The project goes beyond infrastructure, positioning the centers as frontline spaces for addressing mental health concerns and strengthening responsible parenthood and adolescent health programs under the province’s MoRProGRes agenda,” he said.
A pre-construction conference was likewise conducted to guide local government units on project implementation and ensure the timely completion of the facilities./PN
