GUIMARAS’ TEEN HUBS AND TEEN CENTERS EMPOWERED WITH NEW EQUIPMENT TO SUPPORT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

The Provincial Government of Guimaras has strengthened its commitment to youth development with the recent provision of essential equipment to established teen hubs and teen centers in the province. This initiative is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to create safe, inclusive, and resource-rich spaces for young people to thrive.

The turnover ceremony for the equipment, furnitures, fixtures, and the Psychological First Aid manual was held on December 16, 2024 at the Congressional Hall, San Miguel, Jordan.

Presidents of Barangay Health Workers and Barangay Nutrition Scholars, the primary care facilities of the five municipalities, and the Department of Education-Guimaras received the Psychological First Aid Manual.

Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of Barangays Bacjao, Dagsaan, East Valencia, New Población, Rizal, San Fernando, San Pedro, San Roque, Tacay, and Bacjao in Buenavista; Guiwanon, Lapaz, Lucmayan, Napandong, Oracon Sur, Panobolon, Población, San Antonio, San Roque, and Sto. Domingo in Nueva Valencia; Cabano, Igcawayan, and Sapal in San Lorenzo; Oracon Norte, Millan, Ayangan, Concordia, and San Isidro in Sibunag received conference table and chairs that they will use for the conduct of peer support group sessions.

Remedios E. Vilchez National High School in San Lorenzo and Alegria National High School in Sibunag were given sofa and tables for their teen hubs. Dr. Catalino Gallego Nava Memorial High School in San Lorenzo and Calaya National High School in Nueva Valencia received electric fan, television, scrabble, and chess board while the TVC Sta. Teresa National High School in Jordan and Getulio National High School in Buenavista got sofa, table and cabinet, electric fan, television, toiletries, hygiene and sanitation kits, scrabble and chess board for their teen hubs.

The provision of these resources aligns with the province’s youth-focused initiatives, designed to address challenges such as mental health, reproductive health education, and skills training for personal and professional growth.

Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development – Health Promotion Unit head Dr. Fritzi Ann Suzette Dequito said that Guimaras is the pilot area for the implementation of the agency’s initiatives for mental health program.

“We are very happy that the Province of Guimaras embraced the challenge. We will be providing another Php 2.4 million for the Province of Guimaras for the mental health program. This is our key assistance for developing adolescents. If the PHO still wants to be funded with the other playbooks that we have, Guimaras would still be our priority kasi mabilis gumalaw and we want that. Kami nagbibigay lang ng funding pero yung gumagawa po kayo. So, all of these are for you, this is for the community. Put in mind this will be for our adolescents, for the future of the Philippines,” Dr. Dequito said.

Governor JC Rahman A. Nava MD highlighted the significance of this project in supporting the holistic growth of the province’s youth. He is pushing for harmonized initiatives among agencies catering to youth welfare programs as one of the thrusts of his governance under Kabataan FIRST agenda.

“How timely ang ini nga programa given all the problems we hear as far as mental health is concerned especially after the outbreak sang pandemic, daw nagsunod-sunod increase… teenage pregnancy, suicide in teens… Amo ni nga mga problema always boil down to early detection. The earlier we detect, the earlier we can do intervention. I would like to emphasize sang participation sang youth. I think we need to harmonize all our initiatives in the Province of Guimaras. PSWDO may gina-initiate man nga peer support system. I think we can put all these things together,” Governor Nava said.

The governor extended gratitude to the Department of Health and other stakeholders for the initiatives to protect mental health of the youth.

“Nagapasalamat kami sa tanan-tanan nga stakeholders nga kun indi sa inyo nga strong support and cooperation wa-ay ini matigayon. Of course DOH, ang aton nga DepEd, sa mga MHOs for primary care facility, of course ang aton nga Provincial Health Office, and of course ang aton kabataan sang Guimaras – ang SKs. I know we can work it out if we only join our hands together. Let us solve the menace of mental health problems in Guimaras,” Governor Nava added.

With the upgraded facilities, teen hubs and centers are now better equipped to implement programs such as career coaching, peer counseling, and health awareness campaigns. The initiative reinforces the government’s commitment to building a strong foundation for the youth of Guimaras.