ILOILO – Data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) indicate increases in cases of teenage pregnancy, suicide, mental health issues, sexual abuse, HIV infections, and a decrease in the average age of adolescents engaging in sexual activities.
It has flagged the rising prevalence of these health challenges among Iloilo’s youth as alarming, particularly following the resumption of face-to-face classes after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These issues are highly concerning,” according to Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, IPHO head.
In response, the Iloilo provincial government, led by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., has prioritized implementing interventions to address these concerns in 2025. Quiñon said providing timely interventions, accurate information, and accessible services would empower adolescents to make sound decisions about their health.
Adolescent-Friendly Health Facilities
Out of Iloilo’s 43 local government units (LGUs), 41 now have Rural Health Units (RHUs) certified as Adolescent-Friendly Health Facilities (AFHFs) by the IPHO and the Department of Health (DOH). These facilities are designed to respect adolescents’ privacy and rights while providing health services that meet their specific needs.
Each RHU has designated areas and schedules for adolescent-focused services. To enhance service delivery, the IPHO conducts capacity-building activities for RHU health workers, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the unique needs of adolescents effectively.
Expanding Adolescent Health Programs
The IPHO has partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) – Iloilo to integrate its Adolescent Health Program into existing school initiatives. The office also trains nurses and teachers to implement the program effectively.
One of IPHO’s flagship initiatives is Project Tib-ong Kabataan, a multi-sectoral program that brings adolescent health services directly to secondary schools across the province. This initiative includes free medical and psychiatric consultations, first aid orientation, dental services, and reproductive health education.
The IPHO also delivers lectures on teenage pregnancy prevention, nutrition, anti-smoking, anti-drug abuse, and anti-violence against women and children.
Dr. Quiñon stressed the importance of reproductive health education and teenage pregnancy prevention due to adolescents’ increased access to social media platforms, where they may encounter inappropriate content or peer influence.
Looking Ahead
This 2025, the IPHO aims to expand its adolescent services, engage more stakeholders, and train additional health workers to respond effectively to youth health needs.
Although Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health is included in school curricula, some educators struggle to address the topic comfortably, posing a challenge to providing comprehensive information.
“If we fail to educate both our health workers and teachers adequately, we risk higher rates of teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections among adolescents,” Quiñon warned./PN
