LEGAZPI CITY, Feb.16 (PIA) – With the uptrend in the incidence of teenage pregnancies, the Regional Population Executive Board (RPEB) is seeking the support of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in establishing teen centers in schools and local government units (LGUs) in the region.
“A teen center will provide privacy and non-threatening environment for teenagers in distress particularly those who are having unplanned pregnancies,” Commission on Population (PopCom) Bicol regional director Magdalena Abellera told the RPEB members during their conference last week.
Trained peer counselors will man the teen centers since teenagers usually seek their peers rather than parents or persons in authority when they are in trouble, Abellera added.
RPEB chairperson and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) V officer in charge Aida Alcazar-Naz called on partner agencies particularly the DepEd and DILG for their support to the proposal through resolutions to be submitted to the said agencies for the opening of teen centers in their areas.
DepEd program supervisor for Curriculum Learning Material Division Sheldon Olea affirmed the proposal with the forthcoming implementation of the Senior High School (SHS) program starting in school year 2016 to 2017. “Teen centers must be immediately established on whichever school is ready,” Olea said.
Abellera meanwhile revealed the minimum requirements for an ideal teen center which should have a well-ventilated one meter by one meter space for counseling, two meter by two meter space for indoor group interaction like indoor games, film showing, training, space for information, education and communication materials, electric fans, clerical tables, monoblock chairs, board games, office supplies, cleaning equipments, computer and printer, trained peer educators, licensed counselor and a regular officer who will supervise the operations of the center.
“PopCom allots funds for the establishment of teen centers with counterpart from partner agencies,” Abellera said.
Department of Health (DoH) Bicol regional director Gloria Balboa also assured funding support for the establishment of teen centers in schools and LGUs together with technical support from their agency.
“Adolescent health is one of our priorities with the rise in the number of teenage pregnancies not only in Bicol but nationwide,” Balboa said. She also committed to provide training for peer counselors and called for proposals in relation to the development of teen centers.
“DOH will also launch teen clinics to cater to pregnant teenagers who are afraid to go to hospitals,” Balboa revealed. Addressing the issue on teenage pregnancy will have a comprehensive approach with teen centers and clinics in place, Balboa added.
There is an urgent need to address teenage pregnancy due to its impact to health, economy and society, Abellera added. (MAL/JJP-PIA5)
“A teen center will provide privacy and non-threatening environment for teenagers in distress particularly those who are having unplanned pregnancies,” Commission on Population (PopCom) Bicol regional director Magdalena Abellera told the RPEB members during their conference last week.
Trained peer counselors will man the teen centers since teenagers usually seek their peers rather than parents or persons in authority when they are in trouble, Abellera added.
RPEB chairperson and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) V officer in charge Aida Alcazar-Naz called on partner agencies particularly the DepEd and DILG for their support to the proposal through resolutions to be submitted to the said agencies for the opening of teen centers in their areas.
DepEd program supervisor for Curriculum Learning Material Division Sheldon Olea affirmed the proposal with the forthcoming implementation of the Senior High School (SHS) program starting in school year 2016 to 2017. “Teen centers must be immediately established on whichever school is ready,” Olea said.
Abellera meanwhile revealed the minimum requirements for an ideal teen center which should have a well-ventilated one meter by one meter space for counseling, two meter by two meter space for indoor group interaction like indoor games, film showing, training, space for information, education and communication materials, electric fans, clerical tables, monoblock chairs, board games, office supplies, cleaning equipments, computer and printer, trained peer educators, licensed counselor and a regular officer who will supervise the operations of the center.
“PopCom allots funds for the establishment of teen centers with counterpart from partner agencies,” Abellera said.
Department of Health (DoH) Bicol regional director Gloria Balboa also assured funding support for the establishment of teen centers in schools and LGUs together with technical support from their agency.
“Adolescent health is one of our priorities with the rise in the number of teenage pregnancies not only in Bicol but nationwide,” Balboa said. She also committed to provide training for peer counselors and called for proposals in relation to the development of teen centers.
“DOH will also launch teen clinics to cater to pregnant teenagers who are afraid to go to hospitals,” Balboa revealed. Addressing the issue on teenage pregnancy will have a comprehensive approach with teen centers and clinics in place, Balboa added.
There is an urgent need to address teenage pregnancy due to its impact to health, economy and society, Abellera added. (MAL/JJP-PIA5)
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