The Aglalana Integrated School in Passi City is the first integrated school in the province to become a recipient of the school-based multi-purpose teen center project of the Iloilo provincial government.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. led the inauguration, turnover, and blessing of the Aglalanhon Youth Haven Teen Center on November 14, 2023. The province provided recreational materials worth P500,000.
The governor was assisted by the Provincial Population Office acting chief Atty. Ruel Von Superio, Division of Passi City Schools Division Superintendent Ma. Roselyn Palcat, Board Member Rolando Distura, City Councilor Joe Divin Palencia, School Principal Dr. Emilie L. Padernal, and Provincial Population Office Division Head and former fourth district board member Shalene Palmares-Hidalgo, among others.
Dr. Padernal thanked the provincial government for the facility which “is a dream come true” for Aglalana Integrated School. She added that the venue will cater to the needs of the youth for them to grow holistically.
Padernal further thanked Governor Defensor for the P2.8 million multi-purpose covered gym donated by the province. The school was also a recipient of a water system project from the province worth roughly P750,000 back in 2020.
Since 2011, the provincial government has already established 116 teen centers in secondary schools all over the province where it provides equipment to the existing facilities.
For 2023, it allotted P35 million for the construction of 10 teen center buildings. A two-storey building is currently being constructed at the Iloilo National High School.
“Starting this year, we will not only provide recreation materials but we will embark on the construction of teen centers,” Atty Superio said.
Governor Defensor said teen center facilities are designed for the youth which also serve as extensions of their homes.
“We want you to own it and we want you to seek comfort at the facility because it is yours,” he said.
The construction of school infrastructures is anchored on the Bulig Eskwela Sang Probinsya Program (BES Probins Program) of Governor Defensor.
Defensor said the provincial government is maximizing its Special Education Fund (SEF) to address the infrastructure needs of public schools.
“We want to be aggressive in our classroom programs. We want to do more,” he said.
(Capitol News)
