2015 FINALIST FOR TEN OUTSTANDING LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROGRAMS

ILOILO PROVINCE

The 2011 annual report of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) – Philippines gave an alarming account of teenage pregnancies in the country—a 70% increase between 1999 and 2009. In Western Visayas alone, teen pregnancy cases quadrupled in the past decade, from 4.1% in 2002 to 15.9% in 2013. In addition, illegal drugs, smoking and alcoholism were also on the rise among the youth.

To prevent the youth from engaging in risky behavior, the Provincial Population Office (PPO) of the Provincial Government introduced the Iloilo School-Based Multipurpose Teen Center Project (ISMTCP). The program started in August 19, 2011 with a simple purpose—to provide a resting place for high school students during their vacant periods. The center has since evolved to become a place where teenagers can share and seek counsel from peers and guidance counselors. It is a training center where partners like the police give training on safety. It has become a library, sports center, recreational center, tutorial center, among many others. The counseling services also cater to walk-in appointments so as to accommodate the out-of-school youth.

The project draws partnerships from various sectors such as the alumni, barangay, business sectors and parents who stock up the room with books, toys, game sets, sports equipment, music equipment, aircon units, computers, electric fans, tables and chairs. The center is manned by teachers during their vacant periods, and by guidance counselors in schools that have them. In effect, the teachers serve as volunteers. Despite the absence of material compensation, they are extremely dedicated and passionate about the program. They are supported by student leaders who are trained to be peer-counselors.

Despite the absence of material compensation, they are extremely dedicated and passionate about the program. They are supported by student leaders who are trained to be peer-counselors.

A follow-up survey conducted by the PPO among the youth who frequented the Teen Centers between 2012 to 2014 showed a significant decline in the incidence of both risky non-sexual and sexual behaviors including smoking (3.93% for males and 4.98% for females), drinking (4.33% for males and 9.19% for females), use of drugs (1.11% for males and 0.69% for females), and premarital sex (2.79% for males and 1.05% for females).

Among the many notable innovations of the ISMTCP is the shared leadership within the Municipal Multipurpose Teen Center Team (MMTCT). The creation of this team empowers the policymaking body to supervise the management and operation of the project from various perspectives. The Team is composed of the Municipal Mayor as Chair, the School Principal as Co-Chair, and the Chief of Police, Liga ng mga Barangay President, Population Program Officer, Municipal Social Welfare Officer, Municipal Health Officer and other concerned agencies. The Teen Centers also double as data hubs for future research on the youth.

The PPO is currently in the process of establishing additional Teen Centers to cover all the 43 local government units in Iloilo. With the inclusion of the project into the Annual Budget of the Provincial Government, the financial, logistical and administrative sustainability of the Teen Center is ensured.