Cordillera Administrative Region- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with the National Youth Commission and Department of Education (DEpEd) with the Commission on Population (POPCOM) has launched the Youth Development Sessions (YDS) at the Joaquin Smith National High School, Asin Road, Baguio City. The regional launch which was done this October focused on the advocacy to help stop the growing number of teenage pregnancy cases in the region.
The YDS is a parallel intervention to the Family Development Sessions targeted for high school student beneficiaries of DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. The YDs shall help the adolescents to be equipped with appropriate knowledge, attitude and skills to face development changes, see available opportunities, and overcome possible risks to aid them in achieving optimal and holistic development.
“In the recent survey, CAR is the gold medallist for most teenage pregnancy cases. Pregnant teenagers will be forced to stop their education to focus more on their pregnancy which will prevent them from finishing school on time. Through YDS, we will equip the youth with necessary life skills to prevent these cases from happening, to reduce risky behaviour and decrease deterrents to their development with the goal of enabling them to improve the conditions of their families.” NYC Commissioner Perci Cendana said.
“We see the Youth Development Sessions not only as an opportunity to help decrease teenage pregnancies in the region but also to help Cordillera youth in facing the challenges that they have as adolescence such that topics on adolescent dynamics, sexuality, career and life skills will be discussed during the conduct of the said sessions.” DSWD-CAR Regional Director Janet P. Armas shared.
The YDS will be implemented nationwide in all Pantawid Pamilya areas to all high school beneficiaries monitored by the program. YDS will be a youth-centered 4Ps module designed to keep high school students from beneficiary families in school.
“Sa tulong ng mga natutunan ko sa FDS, kaya kong gabayan ang mga anak ko para di sila maagang mag-asawa at maiwasang maranasan nila yung hirap na nararanasan ko dahil dito. Sa pamamagitan ng YDS, mataas ang pag-asa ko na mas lalo pa silang magagabayan para sa ikabubuti nila.” Pantawid Pamilya partner beneficiary Irma Perez said. Irma was 18 years old when she had her first child. She has now four children, three of whom are included in the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program.
In CAR, around 44,487 high school students 15-18 years old are scheduled to undergo the YDS until the end of the year.# DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva with Florida Domogdog (UB Intern)
