SAN ENRIQUE, Iloilo—In a bold move to tackle the rising concern of teenage pregnancy, the Iloilo provincial government has inaugurated Teen Center 2.0, a dedicated facility designed to empower adolescents and prevent early and repeated pregnancies.
Unveiled on August 18, 2025, at Dominador Abang Memorial National High School, the Sentro Kalinga Teen Center 2.0 will serve more than 400 students from Barangay Garita and its neighboring barangays, Mapili and Cubay. Unlike earlier school-based initiatives, the new facility is a stand-alone building worth P3.5 million, reflecting the provincial government’s commitment to holistic youth development.
Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said the center represents more than just a structure. “This facility plays a big part in your life outside of the classroom. It is an extension of your home and a space for your psychosocial welfare,” he said. “We are committed to the total development of Iloilo’s youth, and Teen Center 2.0 is a concrete step in that direction.”
Atty. Ruel Von Superio, chief of the Iloilo Provincial Population Office, stressed the urgency of the project, citing alarming national statistics. “Girls as young as 12 are already on their second pregnancy, while 15-year-olds are giving birth to their third child. One in six teen births is a repeat pregnancy. These are not just numbers — they are real lives,” he said. Teen Center 2.0, he added, will provide reproductive health education, mental health awareness, peer counseling, life skills training, and legal aid to empower young people and prevent early motherhood.
Mayor Gian Carlo Niño Fernandez welcomed the initiative, describing the facility as a “sanctuary for young people” where they can learn, dream, and make better choices. Vice Mayor Rosario Mediatrix Fernandez added that the center will also address other youth concerns, including violence against women and children, substance abuse, and underage drinking.
The inauguration was attended by provincial and municipal officials, educators, and youth leaders. It underscored the government’s active role in turning the challenge of teenage pregnancy into an opportunity for empowerment and positive change for Iloilo’s youth.
