In a significant step towards improving adolescent health and development, Provincial Population of South Cotabato, Municipality of Sto. Niño, and the Commission on Population and Development – Regional Office XII (CPD XII) have formally entered into a Partnership Agreement on May 6, 2024. The agreement was signed at the Sto. Niño Covered Court, marking the initiation of the Information and Service Delivery Network for Adolescent Health and Development (ISDN4AHD): DAPITAY Program in Sto. Niño.
The signing event occurred during the Monday Flag Raising Ceremony, presided over by CPD XII Regional Director Desiree Concepcion U. Garganian and Sto. Niño Municipal Mayor Sulpicio F. Villalobos. Also present were officials from the Provincial Population Office of South Cotabato, including Provincial Population Officer Ms. Melanie C. Chiva, Population Program Officer IV Ms. Crispy C. Arves, and Local Population Officer Mr. Brian F. De Eyoy from the Municipal Planning and Development Office. The ceremony garnered attention from members of the Sangguniang Bayan and stakeholders of the Adolescent Health and Development Program (AHDP), demonstrating a unified commitment to the welfare and progress of the youth in the region.
This collaborative effort aims to address gaps in adolescent health services and information by implementing comprehensive development programs that are easily accessible, youth-friendly, and tailored to the specific needs of Sto. Niño’s younger population. The ISDN4AHD initiative, part of the DAPITAY Program, is poised to revolutionize the delivery of health and development services to adolescents, ensuring they receive the necessary support to lead healthy, informed, and productive lives.
The partnership between CPD XII and the Municipal Government of Sto. Niño serves as a model for other municipalities in the region, emphasizing the significance of coordinated endeavors in meeting the diverse needs of the youth. Sto. Niño becomes the second municipality in the region to collaborate with CPD XII for ISDH4AHD, following the footsteps of the Municipality of Polomolok. As this partnership progresses, it not only promises to enhance the quality of life for adolescents in Sto. Niño but also to serve as a symbol of innovation and collaboration in public health and community development.
