ILOILO — Alarmed by reports of girls as young as 12 already on their second pregnancy, the provincial government has launched a P3.5-million Teen Center 2.0 in San Enrique town to provide adolescents with a safe space, reproductive health education, and psychosocial support aimed at curbing the surge of teenage pregnancies.
The Sentro Kalinga Teen Center 2.0, inaugurated on Aug. 18 at Dominador Abang Memorial National High School, will serve 427 students in Barangay Garita and nearby barangays of Mapili and Cubay. Unlike earlier school-based teen centers, the facility is a stand-alone building designed to house comprehensive programs addressing adolescent health, mental wellness, and youth empowerment.
“This facility plays a vital role in your life beyond the classroom. It is meant to be an extension of your home, offering a safe haven that focuses on your psychosocial welfare and personal development,” Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said during the launch.
Atty. Ruel Von Superio, head of the Iloilo Provincial Population Office, underscored the urgency of the project, citing alarming data from the Commission on Population and Development that show one in six teenage births is already a repeat pregnancy.
“It is essential that we come together as a community to ensure that no child is forced into motherhood at an early age,” he stressed.
Programs at the Teen Center include reproductive health education, peer counseling, life skills training, mental health support, and even legal aid for youth needing guidance on their rights and health issues.
Mayor Gian Carlo Niño Fernandez welcomed the project, calling teenage pregnancy one of San Enrique’s most pressing problems. Vice Mayor Rosario Mediatrix Fernandez added that the center will also help combat related concerns such as violence against women and children, underage drinking, and substance abuse./PN
