The Iloilo Provincial Government continues to enhance the educational facilities among secondary schools to address the academic and psychosocial needs of young Ilonggos.
The establishment of a school-based multi-purpose teen center project in secondary schools involves the provision of equipment amounting to P500,000 intended for recreational activities and other learning resources to foster the personal growth of teenagers.
On September 2, 2024, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. led the blessing and inauguration of the Kaban Kang Kaaram (3K) Multi-Purpose Teen Center at Cordova National High School in the Municipality of Tigbuan. The event also coincided with the school’s 55th Founding Anniversary.
The facility is among the 98 school-based teen centers already established in the province through the Provincial Population Office. It is expected to cater to 287 students of Cordova NHS as well as other youth among the six recipient barangays namely Cordova Norte, Cordova Sur, Linobayan, Sipitan, Bantud, and Bangkal.
The blessing and inauguration were also graced by Municipal Administrator Suzette Alquisada in behalf of Mayor Virgilio Teruel, DepEd Schools District of Tigbauan Supervisor Edmund Mirasol, Cordova NHS Principal I Dr. Maribel Lasquite, Provincial Population Office chief Atty. Ruel Von Superio, Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan Iloilo President Esara Aldeguer Javier, and the municipal and barangay officials, among others.
Atty. Superio said the establishment of teen centers will boost the students’ total well-being which is equally important as their academic performance.
“This center is not only a facility but a contribution, a symbol of commitment in guiding the youth towards the right path and in making them become responsible and productive citizens of our country and our society and eventually our partners in nation building towards the direction of our present administration, Bagong Pilipinas,” he said.
Governor Defensor said the teen center serves as a home to all the province’s programs on adolescent health and youth development as well as on mental well-being. It is a safe space where young people can thrive both academically and personally.
“We are also interested in your social life and psychosocial well-being. You are our students and we want to help in your education inside the classroom. But beyond that, you are also our teenagers and our youth,” Defensor said.
The governor also shared that the provincial government is considering the municipality of Tigbauan as one of the recipients of its Teen Center 2.0 project which involves the construction of teen center buildings in schools.
Under Defensor’s education reform program BES Probins (Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya), the provincial government has been implementing programs and projects geared towards supporting the infrastructure needs of schools, guiding teenagers in shaping their future through the Career Guidance and Counseling Program, and helping them become intelligent members of the electorate through the Voter’s Education Program.
The teen center project is just among the present administration’s ongoing efforts to empower the youth and build a resilient province of Iloilo.
(Capitol News)
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