The CABALICatan Teen Center opened its doors to the youth of Balasan, providing a safe and supportive environment for the young people to navigate the challenges of adolescence.
Named after the Tagalog word “kabalikat,” the facility serves as a refuge to the adolescents of Cabalic National High School in nurturing their well-being and building a positive relationship with their fellow peers.
The P3.5-million facility is among the 10 pilot Teen Center 2.0 projects of the provincial government being implemented by the Provincial Population Office.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. led the inauguration and turnover ceremony on February 4, 2025, marking a new chapter in the development of the youth of Balasan.
The governor was joined by Balasan Mayor Filomeno Ganzon, Vice Mayor Manuel Ganzon, Iloilo Provincial Population Office chief Atty. Ruel Von Superio, Provincial Engineer Romeo Andig, Anilao Mayor Lee Ann Debuque who represented the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Head Teacher I Rosie Aribal, and representatives from the DepEd Schools Division of Iloilo, among others.
Aribal thanked Governor Defensor for providing them a center that will offer a safe space for the youth to develop life skills.
Atty. Superio stressed that this youth development initiative of Governor Defensor aims to create an enabling environment for the young people to develop their social, ethical, physical, emotional, and cognitive competencies.
“Ining mga proyekto naton subong - is among the living testaments kon ano kamo ka-importante sa aton Gobernador. Of more than 180 secondary schools, ginhatagan gid kamo prioridad kag gin-una guid ni Governor Defensor ang Cabalic National High School nga patindugan kang Teen Center,” Superio said.
Governor Defensor appealed to the youth to take care of the facility as it serves as the extension of their home.
He also committed to provide infrastructure support to Cabalic National High School such as the construction of their covered gym and additional classrooms to provide an enabling learning environment to the students of Balasan.
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