(INQUIRER file photo)
TACLOBAN CITY 鈥� A teen center in Carigara, Leyte is being run to help address cases of teenage pregnancies in the municipality and nearby towns.
Located within the municipal hall compound, the facility gathers a steady number of teenagers who, not only avail of its amenities, but also receive counseling and guidance.
These initiatives are meant to prevent risky behaviors that can lead to early pregnancy.
According to John Lester Reamillo, the center鈥檚 officer-in-charge, at least 20 teenagers visit the facility daily since its opening in November 2024.
鈥淲e provide counseling to help them avoid behaviors that may lead to pregnancy,鈥� Reamillo said in a phone interview on March 10.
Beyond reproductive health education, the teen center also aims to ease the gap in education crisis by offering reading comprehension programs and mental health support.
Reamillo shared that their youngest recorded case of pregnancy involved a 14-year-old girl, an age when she should still be in school.
鈥淕etting pregnant at such a young age is not ideal as it affects a girl鈥檚 future and poses serious health risks,鈥� he said.
Teenage pregnancies in the town have been linked to peer pressure, family problems and easy online access to inappropriate content, among other factors.
As of March 19, Carigara has recorded 64 teenage pregnancies.
The establishment of teen centers is part of a GlobalCare Philippines program in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
In 2023, with KOICA鈥檚 funding, GlobalCare Philippines launched the Adolescent Reproductive Health Promotion Project in three municipalities in Leyte.
These places are Barugo, Carigara and Jaro.