Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. called on peer helpers and teen center coordinators to step up as frontliners in addressing critical youth issues, specifically mental health risks linked to social media and the rising cases of teenage suicide.
Speaking to over 700 stakeholders during the 2026 Provincial Teen Center Day on September 3 at the Iloilo Convention Center, Defensor emphasized the urgent need to address the challenges faced by young Ilonggos today.
Centering on the theme "Empowering Youth. Inspiring Change. Building the Future," the annual celebration honored the dedicated individuals whose mentorship, leadership, and daily efforts drive the success of the province's teen center program towards the the total development of Ilonggo adolescents.
Governor Defensor said there is a need to manage the exposure of teenagers in social media which poses risk in their mental health and well-being.
“May mga bagay nga indi dapat naton ipakita or ipabati sa aton mga kabataan sa social media. We love social media, we love the internet but has its own garbage - fake news, gambling, pornography, and bullying,” he said.
To address this, the governor announced the upcoming launch of PRIMETIME, his program designed to establish guidelines on the use of social media among the youth.
The provincial government will collaborate directly with the Department of Education (DepEd), with Governor Defensor acknowledging OIC-Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Ruby Therese Almencion during his address.
Defensor also underscored the invaluable role of peer counselors in early suicide intervention, calling them the primary bridge between struggling youth and government help.
“We cannot do counseling if we do not know the problem. So you are the nerve endings of our programs. Your work is very important for national development,” Defensor added.
Meanwhile, Provincial Population Officer Atty. Ruel Von Superio highlighted the importance of empowering the youth as the future of the country.
“Sa aton mga peer helpers, you are not simply peer helpers. You are peer leaders. You are listeners. You are advocates. You are bridges to support. And most importantly, kamo ang taytay sang paglaum - you are bridges to hope,” Atty. Superio said.
The province of Iloilo has established a total of 102 school-based teen centers, including 21 stand-alone buildings under the Teen Center 2.0 program.
The teen center program started way back in 2011 which featured the provision of equipment to rooms converted as teen centers.
The program evolved in 2023 through the Teen Center 2.0 where the provincial government embarked on constructing stand-alone buildings.
“Our Teen Centers are not merely rooms or facilities. They are safe spaces for questions, spaces for guidance, spaces for healing, spaces for friendship, and spaces where dreams begin,” Superio said.
The gathering was also graced by National Youth Commission Chairperson and Undersecretary Joseph Francisco "Jeff" Ortega, Vice Governor Lee Ann Debuque, Sangguniang Kabataan Iloilo Federation President Esara Javier, Deped Iloilo OIC-Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Ruby Therese Almencion, Provincial Education Management Office head Maria Alfreda Fajardo, Provincial Local Youth Development Officer Shiela Mae Tuares, and Mr. Alfred Dicto, founder of the Youth Work Research and Training Center, among others.