ILOILO – The Iloilo provincial government has placed the spotlight on school-based teen centers that are redefining adolescent health and youth development programs, recognizing the best of them during the Provincial Teen Center Day held September 15, 2025, at the Iloilo Convention Center.
The highlight of the event was the Search for Bukod-Tanging Teen Center awards, which evaluated centers based on functionality, program innovation, community impact, and sustainability. Winners received cash prizes and citations for their exemplary efforts to provide safe and supportive spaces for teenagers.
In Category A (established between 2011 and 2017), the DOMINA Teen Center of Dueñas General Comprehensive High School emerged as champion, followed by the Ballesterian Teen Sanctuary of Granada National High School (Carles) and the Teen’s Nook Teen Center of Pavia National High School (Pavia).
For Category B (established from 2018 onward), the Teen Hut Teen Center of Polopiña National High School (Concepcion) topped the list, with the H.E.A.R.T. Teen Center of Jovita Alfaras Riversa National High School (Bingawan) and the Tee Hive Teen Center of Jose Facultad Memorial National High School (Pototan) as runners-up. Champions received ₱15,000, first runners-up ₱10,000, and second runners-up ₱5,000.
Minor awards were also handed out, including Best in Functionality, Best in Innovation, Best in Program Impacts, and Best in Sustainability, with cash incentives ranging from ₱5,000 to ₱10,000.
Atty. Ruel Von Superio, chief of the Iloilo Provincial Population Office, underscored the government’s resolve to expand youth-focused programs.
“So today, as we celebrate the Provincial Teen Center Day, I hope that you feel proud of what we have achieved together, inspired by what is possible, and excited for the future that you are helping to shape,” he said.
Govel. Arthur Defensor Jr. likewise highlighted the importance of the centers, stressing, “Half of our youth development initiatives will happen inside our teen center.”
Since the program’s inception, the provincial government has built 102 school-based multi-purpose teen centers across Iloilo, offering adolescents counseling, peer support, and opportunities for holistic growth.
The recognition, officials said, is both a celebration of past achievements and a commitment to further strengthen youth empowerment initiatives in the province.
Here’s the breakdown of the minor awards:
Best in Functionality
* Category A – Ballesterian Teen Sanctuary – Granada National High School (Carles)
* Category B – Tee Hive Teen Center – Jose Facultad Memorial National High School (Pototan)
Best in Innovation
* Category A – Abyan Teen Center – Dumangas National High School
(Dumangas) and DOMINA Teen Center – Dueñas General Comprehensive High School (Dueñas)
* Category B – H.E.A.R.T. Teen Center – Jovita Alfaras Riversa National High School (Bingawan) and Sibarew Teen Center – Santiago National High School (Barotac Viejo)
Best in Program Impacts
* Category A – Duyan Teen Center – Tigbauan National High School (Tigbauan)
* Category B – Teen Hut Teen Center – Polopiña National High School (Concepcion)
Best in Sustainability
* Category A – Teen’s Nook Teen Center – Pavia National High School (Pavia) and Tender Loving Care Teen Center – Tubungan National High School (Tubungan)
* Category B – Teen Hut Teen Center – Polopiña National High School (Concepcion) and Sentro Lamharon Teen Center – Palanguia National High School (Pototan)
These minor awardees received cash prizes of ₱10,000, ₱8,000, and ₱5,000, respectively./PN
