ILOILO City – The National Youth Commission (NYC) is planning to bring a Meta team to Iloilo this year for a joint initiative with the provincial government aimed at teaching young Ilonggos how to navigate social media responsibly and safely amid growing concerns over its impact on the youth.
NYC chairperson and undersecretary Joseph Francisco Ortega disclosed the planned collaboration during the 2026 Provincial Teen Center Day at the Iloilo Convention Center recentlt, where about 700 teen helpers and coordinators gathered.
The initiative would focus on promoting the ethical and responsible use of social media, an issue increasingly intertwined with concerns over young people’s mental health and online safety.
Ortega stressed that social media literacy has become essential for young people and urged both parents and children to practice cyber hygiene.
“It’s really important for you to learn how to use social media,” he said.
The gathering also highlighted mental health challenges confronting young people, including risks associated with social media and rising cases of teenage suicide.
Iloilo Province’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said teen peer helpers and center coordinators have an important role in detecting problems among young people before these become more serious.
He urged them to serve as frontliners who can identify youths needing assistance and link them to appropriate government support services.
“We cannot do counseling if we do not know the problem. So you are the nerve endings of our programs,” Defensor said.
Provincial Population Officer and lawyer Ruel Von Superio, meanwhile, described teen centers as safe spaces where young people can seek guidance, heal, form friendships and pursue their aspirations.
The province currently has 102 school-based teen centers, 21 of which are stand-alone facilities established under the Teen Center 2.0 program.
Officials also used the gathering to challenge young Ilonggos to become more discerning participants in the country’s political process.
Ortega urged them to scrutinize candidates and elect leaders who genuinely serve the public interest. He warned that politicians who spend heavily during elections may eventually attempt to recover their campaign expenses through government projects.
He stressed that citizens seeking better governance also bear responsibility for making informed choices at the ballot box.
“If you want to be the hope, you have to be the change that you wish to see,” Ortega said.
With the 2028 elections approaching, Ortega urged eligible young people to register and become active participants in the electoral process.
“Be wise. Register to vote,” he said.
The event carried the theme “Empowering Youth. Inspiring Change. Building the Future.” /PN
