The provincial government is establishing five additional teen centers and five family and youth development centers (FYDCs) to strengthen Iloilo’s mental health initiatives.
Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. and Vice Governor Nathalie Ann Debuque led the turnover of PHP42.5 million for the projects, which will support the province’s Program for Resilience of Iloilo in Mind and Emotion (PRIME), a mental health and psychosocial intervention initiative.
Defensor said the facilities will serve as venues for PRIMETIME, a community- and school-based program that complements the province’s PRIME 24/7 mental health hotline.
“We already have our PRIME helpline, our 24/7 hotline for mental health. But we want to implement PRIMETIME in schools and in the community,” Defensor said during a ceremony at the provincial capitol.
Each teen center site will receive PHP3.5 million and will be built at Dapdap National High School in Tigbauan; De La Paz National High School in Batad; Rufino G. Palabrica Sr. National High School in Dingle; Anilao National High School; and Barotac Viejo National High School.
The FYDCs, worth PHP5 million each, will be constructed in Miag-ao, Alimodian, Maasin, Anilao, and Barotac Viejo.
The facilities will provide safe, youth-friendly spaces offering counseling, mental health support, adolescent health services, responsible parenthood education, life skills training and other development programs, according to a Capitol report. (PNA)
