The Provincial Population Office (PPO) has made significant progress in meeting the needs of adolescents through its Adolescent and Development Programme. The program has reached over 2,986 participants, including both adolescents and parents, with activities aimed at fostering resilience, life skills, and stronger family connections in 2024. Despite these encouraging figures, they highlight the importance of regular evaluations to ensure the program’s effectiveness.
The Adolescent Health and Development (AHD) Film Dissemination Session is the program’s centerpiece and aims to raise public awareness of significant issues like adolescent pregnancy and child marriage. It is said that these interactive sessions, which have been used in isolated and underprivileged areas, offer a platform for deep discussion and introspection. While the sessions are generally considered to be effective, cross-referencing with official data would help to support these claims.
The Responsible Adolescence Campaign, which includes the Responsible Adolescence Seminar (RAC-RAS), is another important component of the program. The campaign, which reportedly had 69 sessions in 2024, aimed to help 1,787 in-school youth develop critical decision-making skills and a sense of responsibility, 24 sessions were conducted, benefiting 341 parents and 372 adolescents. While these numbers are a testament to the program’s reach, assessing its long-term effects would provide a clearer picture of its success.
Despite these initiatives, teen pregnancy is still a significant problem in the province, and things get worse when young moms get pregnant more than once. The PPO started the Usapang Batang Ina, Batang Ama (BIBA) program to address this problem. It informs young parents about family planning and the dangers of having multiple pregnancies. Early indications from areas such as Polomolok point to positive outcomes, with participants gaining confidence in managing their responsibilities.
The COVID-19 pandemic also posed significant challenges, weakened partnerships, and limited school outreach. In response, the PPO shifted its focus to parent-centered programs and has plans to re-engage community stakeholders through retraining and support initiatives. PDC Resolution No. 2023-21, which emphasizes parent education, highlights the province’s commitment to addressing these challenges. By combining innovative programs and community-focused initiatives, South Cotabato continues to pave the way for comprehensive youth development, reinforcing its commitment to the well-being of its younger generation.
