ILOILO — Citing the province’s average of 70 suicide cases annually — compared to only about 10 deaths caused by typhoons each year — the Iloilo provincial government is launching a comprehensive school-based intervention program to help learners manage social media responsibly and address one of the factors contributing to mental distress among young people.
“If you give your 15-year-old a cellphone, are you prepared to give him everything without controlling access sa tanan nga indi naton gusto makita,” asked Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
The province will thus roll out “PRIME TIME” this week in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine National Police (PNP), the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), and other government agencies.
The initiative will provide primary counseling, digital literacy, psychosocial interventions, and legal assistance for learners in public schools throughout Iloilo Province.
There will be modules to guide parents, teachers, and students on the responsible use of social media.
While digital technology has transformed access to information and education, it has also exposed young people to fake news, cyberbullying, pornography, and other harmful online content, said Defensor.
“One of the best things that happened to information communication is the cellphone (where one can access information to improve knowledge). Pero you also see lies there, patalang, fake news. We have to protect our children and our people from that,” stressed Defensor.
The governor clarified that the provincial government is not pushing for a ban on mobile phones inside schools, saying cellphones remain important during emergencies. Instead, he emphasized the need for parents and guardians to teach children responsible digital habits and regulate their access to inappropriate online content.
Under the PRIME TIME program, learners who become victims of bullying will also receive legal and psychosocial support, including assistance in filing complaints with the PNP, referrals for psychosocial intervention through the DSWD and local social welfare offices, and legal representation, when necessary, through the Provincial Legal Office and the IBP.
Defensor said the provincial government considers mental health a priority requiring immediate attention and sustained intervention.
He said that while the loss of around 10 lives due to typhoons each year is already considered a major concern, the province records an average of about 70 suicide cases annually — a situation he described as a national emergency that demands an equally urgent government response.
The PRIME TIME initiative complements the province’s 24/7 PRIME Mental Health Helpline, launched on April 23, 2026, under the Program for the Resilience of Iloilo in Mind and Emotion (PRIME). The helpline provides crisis support, psychological first aid, and referral services through trained social workers and psychometricians./PN
