The Parent-Teachers Association of Maasin National Comprehensive High School (MNCHS) expressed gratitude and support to the Iloilo provincial government’s Teen Center 2.0 project which is a critical lifeline for students dealing with psychosocial challenges.
Mary Jane Bañon, PTA president, thanked Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. for providing their school with a facility that provides a safe and holistic environment for teenagers facing mental health problems and other pressing issues.
“Madamo gid nga salamat sa aton mahal nga Ginoo kag sa aton Gobernador. Ini dako guid nga bulig sa aton kabataan nga may mga problema sa ila mental health. Kag ini pwede man nila himuon nga palahuwayan,” Bañon said.
The Maasin National Comprehensive High School community opened a new chapter in youth development as they accepted the A-Teen To Center, a flagship project funded by the Iloilo provincial government under the leadership of Governor Defensor.
Defensor led the inauguration of the project this morning, a testament to the provincial government’s commitment of ensuring that the overall well-being of our adolescents is being taken care of.
The governor was joined by Vice Governor Lee Ann Debuque, Mayor Francis Amboy and the local officials of Maasin, Provincial Population Officer Atty. Ruel Von Superio, and the officials from the Department of Education.
The P3.5 million stand-alone building is a centerpiece of Defensor’s Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya (BES PROBINS) program. A major upgrade from the provincial government’s existing school-based teen centers, this version is equipped with modern amenities and psychological support resources designed to combat the challenges faced by adolescents.
Governor Defensor recognized the critical link between social media exposure and mental health, emphasizing that modern pressures require modern solutions like the Teen Center 2.0.
He said the facility will be the operational hubs for youth development and mental health initiatives in the province.
“Your environment is very different compared to our time, even the pressures you face. You have social media. You have access to the world, literally. And because of that, we want to take care of your mental health. And this teen center will serve as the nerve center of all our youth-oriented programs,” he said.
Meanwhile, Atty. Superio said the provincial government aims to “ensure that our youth is equipped with the knowledge, values, and experience for them to navigate the challenges of their formative years and make informed decisions for their future.”
“Through our teen centers, we seek support from schools in addressing critical issues such as mental health, our adolescent reproductive health, and life skills education,” Atty. Superio said.