TABUK CITY, Kalinga—The City Local Government Unit has formally opened the first school-based teen center in the city which is located at Tabuk City National High School (TCNHS) following the inauguration and ribbon cutting ceremony today.
According to Jonaly Kiser, the city’s population and development officer, the teen center was established to address issues facing young people and adolescents related to sexual and reproductive health, teen pregnancies, and drug abuse. It also gives young people access to social, medical, and recreational services for their mental health.
She mentioned that this project was first established in TCNHS because it has the biggest number of students, and its three guidance counselors are already trained on adolescent and sexual reproductive health. The aforementioned project will, however, soon be implemented in additional significant secondary schools, including Kalinga National High School, Nambaran National High School, and Tuga National High School.
The city government has provided all the logistical support for the operation of the teen center, including one staff member from the City Planning and Development Office who will stay at the center once a week to help the guidance counselors come up with activities for their target clients. The TCNHS has provided a room.
Joselito Cabello, TCNHS Principal, has committed to improving the facility to make it more suitable to study and counseling by providing a complementary fund for its sustainability and has pledged his complete support for the project.
The message delivered by City Mayor Darwin Estrañero, who led the signing of the pledge of commitment, the official opening, and the ribbon-cutting, stressed the importance of the role that schools play in shaping the future generations.
He cited the teen center as an institution that supports students during their most trying academic years by encouraging self-discipline. Estrañero assures that the local administration will provide the center with the support and resources it needs.
