Amid debates on how sexual education should be taught to students, local governments and school administrations are taking their own steps in ensuring that today's youth are well aware of their own rights - and responsibilities - in regards to adolescent health.
One such step is the opening of the Saint Francis Teen Center inside the Saint Francis National High School in Barangay San Francisco, Biñan City, Laguna last February 27.
Biñan City Mayor Arman Dimaguila joined Manuela Tolentino, Superintendent of the Department of Education (DepEd) Biñan Schools Division Office and Marites Cipriano, Assistant Regional Director-Designate of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) CALABARZON, at the opening of the new center.
The three officials also signed a memorandum of agreement that will ensure continued collaboration to provide quality adolescent health and development information and services to students.
The new Teen Center is expected to address crucial issues facing Biñanense youth, like adolescent pregnancy, mental health concerns, and HIV/AIDS.
It should be recalled that officials of the CPD had raised concern about Biñan City reporting one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in the region, with 6,646 cases of teenage pregnancy being reported as of April 25, 2024.
CPD Calabarzon has rolled out programs aimed at equipping both parents and teenagers with accurate and science-based information about reproductive health, importance of responsible decision-making and delaying parenthood until adulthood.
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