BY BENZ FELIX P. SEDUCO
Intern, University of Antique
ILOILO – Strengthening its commitment to youth welfare, the Iloilo provincial government has launched the Junction Teen Center 2.0, a pioneering facility aimed at tackling mental health concerns and teenage pregnancy.
The initiative, unveiled on March 12 at New Lucena Comprehensive High School, makes Iloilo the only province in the country advocating dedicated teen centers, according to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
The facility is part of a broader strategy under Defensor’s administration to provide safe spaces for adolescents to seek guidance, support, and reproductive health education.
The project, implemented by the Provincial Population Office (PPO), includes a fully equipped, single-storey structure designed to serve as a confidential and accessible hub for peer support and intervention.
A Lifeline for Vulnerable Teens
Teen center coordinator Lea Mae Oliveros underscored the importance of peer-based support, emphasizing that many teenagers struggle to open up to parents or teachers.
“Sometimes, our teenagers feel more comfortable talking to their peers. This center provides them with trusted peer helpers who listen without judgment — because sometimes, that’s all they need,” Oliveros said.
She also noted the crucial role of the center in addressing mental health challenges and teenage pregnancy, adding that the facility will work closely with the Rural Health Unit of New Lucena to enhance adolescent reproductive health awareness and provide support for at-risk youth.
A Provincial First in the Country
During the facility’s groundbreaking, Defensor expressed pride in Iloilo’s leadership in youth-focused infrastructure, stating that no other province has undertaken a similar initiative.
“We want a holistic approach to youth development. A school is not complete without a teen center that houses all our programs dedicated to young people’s well-being,” Defensor said.
PPO chief Atty. Ruel Von Superio emphasized that the project symbolizes the province’s investment in the future of its youth.
“As we lay the time capsule, we are sending a message to the future — that today, we believed in our youth, we invested in their potential, and we built a place where they could grow, thrive, and succeed,” he said.
Local Leaders Rally Behind the Initiative
Joining Defensor at the event were Mayor Liecel Mondejar-Seville, Vice Mayor Isabelo Acolladar, Sangguniang Bayan members, and Anilao Mayor Lee Ann Debuque, representing the League of Municipalities in the Philippines – Iloilo Chapter.
Also present were Provincial Population Office staff, barangay officials, and school administrators, all expressing strong support for the landmark project.
The Teen Center 2.0 is expected to set a national precedent, with provincial officials hoping other regions will follow Iloilo’s lead in institutionalizing support structures for adolescent well-being./PN
