The towns of Balasan and San Dionisio in the fifth district are among the 10 recipients of the school-based multi-purpose teen centre buildings which the Iloilo provincial government will construct through the Provincial Population Office.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. led the groundbreaking ceremonies of the construction of the teen centre buildings at Cabalic National High School in Balasan and Nicomedes R. Tubar Sr. National High School in San Dionisio on January 16, 2024. Each building costs P3.5 million.

He was joined by PPO head Atty. Ruel Von Superio, Executive Assistant to Governor Niel Tupas III, PPO personnel, Balasan Mayor Filomeno Ganzon, San Dionisio Mayor Darwin Bajada, and the municipal and barangay officials of the two recipient towns.

The provincial government has allotted P35 million for the construction of 10 teen centre buildings – two will be constructed in each district. This is an upgrade from its previous program which only provides equipment to teen centers.

Atty. Superio said the facility is dedicated to providing a venue for the youth for their recreational activities, personality development, and skills enhancement. It also serves as a sanctuary for the sharing of insights and ideas, and a facility to prevent risky sexual and non-sexual behaviors among teenagers.

“The Teen Center 2.0 is a level-up version of our old teen centres, which we will rebrand later – and to be known as the Adolescent Health and Youth Development Centers of the province,” the PPO chief said.

The improved version of the project will feature a Lounge Area, Counseling Room and Activity Area, Guidance Office and Teen Center Coordinator Office, a toilet, and a pantry.

Governor Defensor said the facility will serve as “a home outside our own house” and will cater to all the programs of the province on adolescent health and youth development.

It will also house the Career Guidance and Counseling Program and the Voter’s Education Program which are the initiatives of Defensor under his Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya (Bes Probins) Program.

“Because we are not only interested in your academics. We are also interested in your social life, in your psychosocial well-being,” he said.

The governor said the provincial government will also maximize its Special Education Program (SEF) in constructing classrooms and other infrastructure needs of public schools in the province. (Capitol News)

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