KORONADAL CITY — The Municipality of Sto. Niño earns a Level 2 Certification, becoming the first and only in the entire Province of South Cotabato to achieve this milestone.
This recognition highlights the success of the DAPITAY Program, Sto. Niño’s Information and Service Delivery Network for Adolescent Health and Development.
In his earlier message, Mayor Sulpicio F. Villalobos expressed the municipality’s unwavering support for youth-centered programs:
“We are committed to fostering an environment where our young people can thrive and access the resources they need for their health and development.”
Launched last August 20, 2024, in partnership with the Commission on Population and Development–Region XII, the DAPITAY Program and Teen Center provide comprehensive, youth-friendly health and development services.
The initiative offers a safe space where young people can access accurate information, guidance, and support for their well-being.
The Level 2 Certification signifies that Sto. Niño’s Teen Center has met advanced national standards in delivering adolescent-friendly programs.
It demonstrates consistent and effective service delivery, strong peer education, functional referral systems, and measurable impact in addressing key youth issues such as teenage pregnancy prevention, mental health, and reproductive health education.
This progress has also contributed to Sto. Niño’s recognition as a Regional Winner in the Search for Most Outstanding Local Government Units (LGUs) in Localizing the POPDEV Agenda under the Rafael M. Salas Kaunlarang Pantao Awards (RMSKPA), Municipal Category.
During the National Validation held in September 2025, Sto. Niño’s programs were commended for their innovation, collaboration, and strong commitment to uplifting the lives of young people.
With its continued dedication to empowering the youth, Sto. Niño stands as a model of excellence in adolescent health programming, proving that local initiatives can create lasting impact when anchored on genuine care, collaboration, and community participation.
