The provincial government, through the Provincial Population Office (PPO), will establish 20 more Adolescent Health and Youth Development Centers (teen centers) and five Family and Youth Development Centers in Iloilo this year.

“As of now, in our 42 municipalities and one component city composed of 1,721 barangays, we have already established 102 teen centers. In the 2.0 version, the building is a separate structure worth PHP3.5 million each,” said PPO head lawyer Ruel Von Superio, in an interview on Wednesday.

The new version will have a lounge area, counseling room and activity area, Guidance Office and Teen Center Coordinator Office, a toilet, and a pantry.

The centers will house the Career Guidance and Counseling Program and the Voter’s Education Program initiatives of Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. under his Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya (Bes Probins) Program.

Superio said five centers are about to be completed, and five have already started.

Defensor has also approved the construction of an additional 10, bringing to 20 teen centers that will be established this year.

During the past two years, at least PHP100 million has been allocated by the Provincial School Board for the same projects.

Meanwhile, another project is the two-story Family and Youth Development Centers that will be piloted in five local government units, with one per district.

Each project has a fund requirement of PHP5 million from the National Tax Allocation share of the province.

The ground floor will serve as an office for the municipal population office and a gathering area for barangay service point officers. The second floor will serve as a local youth development office.

The sites in the towns of Calinog, Igbaras, and Sta. Barbara are ready for groundbreaking while those in Passi City and the town of Sara are preparing the necessary documents. (PNA)