BATANGAS CITY – The increasing rate of teen pregnancy, substance abuse and the spread of sexually transmitted infection (STI) - Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV) topped the prevailing issues tackled at the “Youth Week” symposium at the Teachers Conference Center here.
Dr. Allen Santos, Batangas City Health Office (CHO) Medical Officer IV, on Wednesday disclosed these recurring issues that confront the young generation these days, before an audience of some 200 Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) officials and junior and senior high school students from public and private schools, during the “Youth Week” which kicked off Aug. 20.
The Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Batangas City hosted the week-long celebration at the Teachers Conference Center with this year’s theme “Empowering the Youth to Build newly improved Development Programs.”
“Ang Batangas City as isa sa may mataas na insidente ng teen pregnancy at may pinakamadaming kaso ng HIV infection sa Batangas Province kung kayat malaki ang maitutulong ng SK kung ito ay makikipagugnayan sa City Health Office hinggil sa mga programang ipinatutupad nito upang masolusyunan ang mga nabanggit na mga problema (Batangas City ranks among the highest incidence of teen pregnancy and has the highest cases of HIV infection in Batangas province, that’s why the SK could greatly help through its coordination with the City Health Office on the programs that are implemented to address these problems),” Santos revealed.
He said that the city health office has implemented its Adolescent Health Development Program since 2016 to address the problem on teen pregnancy such as the establishment of teen health kiosks in various campuses.
These teen health kiosks were established at the Batangas National High School, Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU)-Batangas and Batangas State University (BSU) to assist students, through education and information awareness campaign on sexuality and reproductive health.
Santos added that more teen health kiosks are now set up at the Libjo National High School and Tingga Itaas, Sorosoro Ilaya and Sorosoro Ibaba National High Schools.
According to Santos, the students are also trained by the CHO to serve as peer educators who could help broaden awareness on teen pregnancy issues and personally assist ones that need guidance and counseling.
Meanwhile, Dr. Nickie Boy Manalo, assistant director for Institutional and Industry Services of the Batangas State University expounded on the provisions of the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015.
City Administrative Officer V Manolo Perlada, who represented City Mayor Beverley Rose Dimacuha, underscored the importance of nationalism and love of country among the youths, considered as the present crop of “nation builders.”
SK Federation President Marjorie Manalo also spoke of the youth council’s proposed projects and programs on education and livelihood for youth in need, besides the education and information drive on current issues on teen pregnancy and drug abuse. (Maroe T. Genosa/PNA)
