Lord Saver D. Centina presents during the first National Highways for Adolescent Health Learning Exchange (AdHLEx) Forum in Manila in August.
As recently as 2018, Cagayan de Oro in the Philippines faced a troubling rate of student dropouts due to teen pregnancy, with a local birth rate of 47 per 1,000 adolescents. However, by 2023, this rate had significantly decreased to 36 per 1,000. Simultaneously, the prevalence of modern contraceptive use rose from 29% in 2020 to 33% in 2023.
These notable changes in the data can be attributed to new innovative practices in adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) services and interventions, along with information campaigns conducted by a network of agencies focused on adolescent programs.
The Challenge Initiative (TCI) has been supporting Cagayan de Oro since 2020 by collaborating and providing resources through the country’s Information Service Delivery Network (ISDN). The ISDN is composed of multi-sectoral members, led by the city health office and youth office, and collaborates with other departments, including the City Hospital, Department of Education, Social Welfare and Development Department, Public Employment Office, Agricultural Sector, NGOs, and various youth-serving organizations.
These innovations were highlighted recently in a presentation by TCI, Oro Youth, and the Zuellig Family Foundation during the inaugural National Highways for Adolescent Health Learning Exchange (AdHLEx) Forum in Manila. Centered around the theme “Building the Expressways Towards Adolescent Health and Well-Being,” the forum was led by the Department of Health, specifically through the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau. featured a series of presentations on various interventions aimed at accelerating integrated actions to contribute to some of the eight Priority Health Outcomes. This initiative focused on achieving two key health objectives for Filipino adolescents: halting the burden of diseases prevalent among them and reducing their birth rate.
The learning exchange sought to establish an effective and efficient platform for communication, connection, and collaboration among stakeholders in adolescent health. This interactive event showcased a “motorcade” of adolescent health initiatives, highlighting best practices from development partners, academia, the private sector, civil society, and local governments. Overall, these presentations aimed to raise awareness of the often-overlooked issues faced by adolescents in various settings, including schools, workplaces, and communities.
Lord Saver D. Centina, Local Youth Development Officer and Officer-in-Charge of the Oro Youth Development Office in Cagayan de Oro, spoke about how the city’s innovative strategies and youth engagement have been strengthening local health systems through the ISDN.
TCI helped the city to define clearer dimensions of multisector interventions, minimizing duplication of services, unified strategic directions, and increased budget allocation. To sustain these gains, the Local Youth Development Office, which serves as the Vice Chair for ISDN through the city’s Local Youth Development Plan, has strategically positioned itself as a bridge to address city-level issues by involving barangay youth leaders, particularly the Sangguniang Kabataan and other youth organizations.”
Centina shared findings from a paper co-authored by Pearl Joy Catingub, City Technical Lead for TCI Philippines, titled “Equipped, Engaged, and Empowered Kagay-anaon Youth: Optimizing the Information Service Delivery Network for Kagay-anon Adolescents.”
This initiative aims to harmonize local health systems and foster youth engagement in localizing universal access to basic health services. To this end, the city’s referral mechanism, including the special protection services of the City Council for the Protection of Children and the health services under the Information Service Delivery Network for adolescents, has been realigned and integrated.”
Dignitaries from various national agencies and Adolescent Health and Development focal persons from across the country were present at the forum. Representing the Cagayan de Oro City – Region X delegation were: Catingub; Dr. Rachel D. Dilla, City Health Officer and ISDN Chairperson; Dr. Aimee Grace Gemelo, Medical Officer III at the Department of Health Center for Health Development in Northern Mindanao (DOH CHD – NM); and Fe C. Sumagpao, Family Planning and Adolescent Health and Development Program (AHDP) Coordinator in the DOH CHD – NM.
