P1 million fund to assist 5 Iloilo teen centers

P1 million fund to assist 5 Iloilo teen centers

By Vicente W. Villavert; Tuesday 23rd of October 2012

ILOILO CITY, Oct 23 (PIA) -- The Iloilo provincial government has released checks worth a million to different municipalities to help empower the youth sector. Each of five municipal teen centers were to receive P200,000.

The five beneficiaries, which are the second batch of teen centers established since 2011 are located at the Igbaras National High School, in the municipality of Igbaras; Leonora S. Salapantan National High School in San Miguel; Cabatuan National Comprehensive High School in Cabatuan; Dumangas National High School in Dumangas; and Sara National High School in Sara.

The first batch was established in 2011 in the municipalities of Oton, Pavia, Lambunao, Dingle and San Dionisio.

The establishment of the school-based teen centers is in line with the provincial government’s aim to help address the social development of the youth, Provincial Population Officer Ramon C. Yee said.

“The primary objective of the program is to contribute to the empowerment, development of adolescents and youth by providing a venue and facility where they can develop their potentials as individuals,” Yee said.

Yee also said the teen center aims to help reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancies, substance abuse, sexually transmitted infections and other psycho-social problems among young people.

The amount released will be used for the purchase of equipment, rehabilitation of the center, reproduction of information and education campaign materials and for training and capability-building.

Governor Arthur Defensor promised to give an additional P100,000 each for the second batch teen center recipients. The additional amount will be released in January 2013.

Defensor said that he wanted to fast track the establishment of the teen centers in the 42 municipalities and one component city of the province with 12 teen centers per year as he asked stakeholders for their strong commitment for the success of the program.

Igbaras Mayor Vicente Escorpion Jr., in response to the governor’s challenge, committed to support the teen center.

“This program would help a lot to complement our other programs for the youth which we consider to be our valuable treasure,” he said. (JCM/VWV-PIA6 Iloilo)

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