FIVE public secondary schools with the most outstanding performance in adolescent health advocacy and other activities advancing youth development won this year’s search for model school-based multipurpose teen center project.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, representing Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. and Provincial Population Officer Ramon Yee gave the award during the recently-concluded 3rd Provincial Teen Center Day held at Iloilo Provincial Capitol.
The winners were Domina Teen Center of Dueñas General Comprehensive High School, Care Cove Teen Center of Janiuay Comprehensive High School, Teen’s Nook Teen Center of Pavia National High School, Young Saver’s Teen Center of Igbaras National High School and U-Konek Teen Center of Lambunao National High School.
Their respective principals, teen center coordinators, the peer helpers and the town mayors who provided full support to the project were also recognized.
The finalists during the search were Cabatuan Teen Center of Cabatuan National Comprehensive High School, Rumbuhan sang Kasanag Teen Center of Alimodian National High School, Teen Care and Development Teen Center of Don Felix Serra National High School (San Joaquin), and Tender Loving Care Teen Center of Tubungan National High School.
Special awards were also given to the following:
Best Peer Helpers – Dominal Teen Center and Teen’s Nook Teen Center
Best in Data Banking – Teen’s Nook Teen Center
Best in Innovations – Domina Teen Center
Best in Special Advocacy – Care Cove Teen Center
Best in Program Presentation – Young Savers Teen Center
The entries of all the participating teen centers underwent a thorough three-day field validation in November 2016 with judges coming from different academic backgrounds and relevant expertise in project management.
Fifty teen centers have been established in the province using a budget ranging from P350,000 to P500,000 depending on the project’s location.
Teen centers in public schools located in island-barangays have half a million appropriations from the Provincial Government.
Of the 50 teen centers, eight of which will be opened by 2017. This project provides venue for teenagers, both in and out of school, to become productive individuals due to development opportunities and recreational facilities available in the centers.
Manned by trained peer helpers and guidance councilors, it also provides an environment where they can learn of the government’s program in adolescent health, among others.
The search for model teen centers is held once every two years in the province. (Jezza Nepomoceno)