Trigger warning: mention of suicide

BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- The Commission on Population and Development (CPD)  is urging local government units to set up their teen center, an integrated, comprehensive, and one-stop-shop facility that provides appropriate information, skills, and services to adolescents.
 
CPD-Cordillera Information Officer Alfredo Cañero III said it is important for LGUs to set up their teen centers to address teenage pregnancy, suicide ideation, violence among the youth, and substance use, among others.

A teen center complements and reinforces the role of schools, families, and communities in education, counseling, and empowering adolescents. It also operates in the out-of-school hours or what is usually called the third space for learning, which is any time when adolescents are not at home or attending school classes.
 

"Magpro-provide po sila ng safety and protective factors sa mga adolescents natin. Dun din po sila puwedeng magkaroon ng connectivity, mentoring din po sa mga nagma-man doon para po maiwasan ang pag-engage nila sa mga sexual and non-sexual risky behaviors po," Cañero said.
 
He added that teen centers provide opportunities for less structured learning that could enable adolescents to acquire soft or life skills. These sets of skills such as creativity, teamwork, empathy, and self-awareness will directly benefit them in terms of employability.
 
Aside from providing a supportive environment, the center also promotes participation and ownership.

"Hindi lang po sila [kabataan] 'yung magiging client. Puwede po silang magkaroon ng role as peer educator. Nakita po namin sa isang study, na mostly na kinakausap ng mga adolescent po natin is 'yung kapwa adolescent po nila patungkol po sa mga problems and issues nila sa buhay," Cañero explained.
 
The CPD assured  readiness to provide support and technical assistance to LGUs who will set up their teen centers.
 
In the  Cordillera, only four LGUs have established their teen centers, namely;  Ifugao, Tabuk City, Baguio City, and Bontoc in Mountain Province.

Cañero also shared that  setting up of a teen center, either community- or school-based, is one of the indicators of the 2023 Seal of Good Local Governance. It is part of the major category, Social Protection and Sensitivity, which highlights the LGUs' demonstration of responsiveness to the needs of, and facilitates engagement with the vulnerable and marginalized sectors of society.(JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)