ILOILO – Ten more school-based teen centers will be established here this year to help shape teenagers into productive individuals.
This is part of the Provincial Population Office’s (PPO) Adolescent Health and Youth Development Program, said Atty. Ruel Von Superio, acting office head.
“We are very concerned about their social life and psychosocial well-being. We believe that the establishment of these teen centers will boost the total well-being of our learners, which is equally important as to their academic performance. I am very happy that our governor has shown all-out and full support to the programs and projects of our office,” Superio said.
There are over 90 existing school-based teen centers in the province.
“In the country, Iloilo province is among the first to establish and has the most number of teen centers,” said Superio in Hiligaynon.
The new school-based teen centers will be constructed in the following:
1st District
* Oton National High School in Oton
* Alejandro Firmeza Memorial National High School in Miag-ao
2nd District
* Alimodian National Comprehensive High School in Alimodian
* Western Visayas Sanitarium Integrated School in Santa Barbara
3rd District
* Maasin National High School in Maasin
* Alberto Sorongon Sr. Memorial National High School in Pototan
4th District
* Cabudian National High School in Dueñas
* Dominador Abang Memorial High School in San Enrique
5th District
* Nicomedes R. Tubar Sr. National High School in San Dionisio
* Cabalic National High School in Balasan
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said each school-based teen center building costs around P2.9 million, and an additional P500,000 is needed for the equipment.
Construction will begin this year.
“We will continue [adding more school-based teen centers]. It depends on how we progress on the implementation. We can always add to that with a supplemental budget of our Special Education Fund,” said Defensor on Friday, June 23.
The governor said the province aims to be aggressive in establishing school-based teen centers, which serve as “home” for career guidance and counseling programs for youth, voter’s education program, and for youth who need help with psychosocial problems.
“Again, balay ina sia, we want that to be an extension of the home of our teenagers in our secondary schools,” Defensor added.
There are over 90 existing school-based teen centers in the province, but this is the first time the provincial government will construct them and furnish them with the needed equipment.
In existing school-based centers, the provincial government partnered with the concerned school; the school provided the space or classroom while the provincial government provided the materials and equipment./PN
