By NELJOY N. GALIGAO
ILOILO – With the Philippines losing an estimated P33 billion yearly due to adolescent pregnancies, government agencies in Western Visayas are banking on a new mobile application to bridge the gaps in sex education and reproductive health services for teenagers.
The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Region 6, in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST), convened a consultative meeting on September 3 to operationalize and promote “AHlam Na! 3.0,” a mobile app designed to provide young people with accessible sexual and reproductive health information.
“Adolescents today are navigating a more complex world. As their challenges evolve, our strategies must evolve as well,” said CPD-6 regional director Harold Alfred Marshall. “We are not just unveiling a mobile app; we are opening a gateway to information, access, and empowerment.”
The urgency of such initiatives is underscored by the 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey (YAFSS), which found that 39 percent of Filipino males aged 15 to 24 and 44 percent of females lack reliable sources of information on sexual health.
AHlam Na! 3.0 is envisioned as a digital companion for adolescents, especially those in underserved communities. It integrates the Integrated Information and Service Delivery Network (ISDN) to connect users with trained health service providers for counseling and support.
Discussions during the meeting centered on improving the app’s interface, expanding accessibility for persons with disabilities, and promoting its use among both teenagers and healthcare providers. Strengthening referral mechanisms within the app was also highlighted to ensure seamless access to health services and resources.
A roadmap of activities for 2026 was laid out, including community engagement drives, training workshops for stakeholders and educators, and promotional campaigns to raise awareness of the app’s role in empowering youth.
CPD-6 expressed gratitude to DOH and ISUFST for their support in advancing adolescent health in the region, emphasizing that the collaboration aims not only to reduce teen pregnancies but also to equip young people with knowledge to make informed decisions about their health./PN
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Regional Director Harold Alfred Marshall of the Commission on Population and Development in Western Visayas discusses the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action (PPD-POA) 2023–2028. He says the “AHlam Na! 3.0” mobile app is designed to provide young people with accessible sexual and reproductive health information. PIA-6
