Ligao City launches CHO Teen Health Center; introduces Peer Educators

Ligao City launched its first community-based Teen Health Center at the second floor of the City Health Office (CHO) on March 19, 2014.

The increasing number of teenagers engaged in premarital sex as well as the number of female teenagers becoming mothers at an early age has become alarming, calling for an urgent action.The CHO Teen Health Center was then established to address the concerns and problems encountered by teenagers including drug addiction, teenage pregnancy, and other personal crises.

"We need to give special attention to the teenagers because they really need our time not only our treasure but basically our precious presence with them," said Ligao National High School (LNHS) Principal Mrs. Sinson who also introduced the recently opened LNHS Teen Chat Center which made the event a Twin Opening of the two facilities for teenagers.

Peer Education

According to Ms. Ces Sevilla of Luzon Health, "peer education has really been proven effective in helping young people become more aware of themselves, develop the life skills that could guide them in adulthood such as goal-setting, decision-making, even managing emotions and stress..."

Ms. Sevilla, who was also one of the trainers in Peer Education, introduced the 33 School Peer Educators from LNHS and the nine (9) Community Peer Educators of Ligao City who underwent Peer Education in 2013.

The trained Peer Educators from Ligao National High School stood up for recognition during the launching of the CHO Teen Health Center

CHO Focal Person Dr. Edna Freya B. Tan presented the roles and responsibilities of Peer Educators. The Peer Educators will Facilitate Focused Group Discussion which will focus on teen issues including (1) general health concerns, (2) mental health concerns, and (3) sexual and reproductive health concerns.

"Hopefully, they [teenagers] would be encouraged to open up personal issues, concerns, and problems in an atmosphere that is accepting and non-judgmental in order to avoid potential crises situations," said Dr. Tan.

The concerns and issues that need professional intervention (i.e. counseling, preventive and curative services) will be referred to the Teen Health Center staff.

"The Teen Health Center is an adolescent-friendly space for education, counselling, referral, [and] services focusing on adolescent development, relationships, life skills, teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections including HIV and AIDS," said Dr. Tan, summarizing the role of the Teen Health Center.

Support from local government

Ligao City Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua

"The City Government of Ligao is very much aware of the importance of the youth in our community...we would like to develop them further so they would have better future," said Ligao City Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua.

"Therefore, as a response to Administrative Order 34-A Series 2000...the City Government of Ligao, under the City Health Office launches the Teen Health Center in its aim to respond to the increasing health risk of adolescents by providing them with the utmost services, information, guidance, and activities that they can be involved to become responsible, empowered, healthy adolescents of our society," Mayor Gonzalez-Alsua added.

In 2003, the LNHS with the regional director of the Population Commission and then Mayor Fernando V. Gonzalez, now Congressman of the 3rd District of Albay, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) to establish a Teen Center in Ligao City. Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez said that the opening of the Teen Chat Center at LNHS and the community-based Teen Health Center ''will significantly contribute to the deep concerns by our young teenagers in our schools."

MOA Signing

MOA SIGNING. (R-L) Provincial Health Officer Dr. Nathaniel B. Rempillo, Ligao City Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua, LNHS Principal Mrs. Carmelita A. Sinson, and Dr./Atty Alexis Albao of DOH-CHD V

The MOA relating to the establishment of the Teen Health Center was later signed by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Nathaniel B. Rempillo, Ligao City Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua, LNHS Principal Mrs. Carmelita A. Sinson, and Dr./Atty Alexis Albao of DOH-CHD V.





Source:
City Health Office
Launching of Teen Health Center Program