By Mariela Angella Oladive
The Iloilo Provincial Government, led by Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., officially inaugurated the Kaban Kang Kaaram (3K) Multi-Purpose Teen Center at Cordova National High School on September 2, 2024. The event coincided with the school’s 55th founding anniversary.
The teen center, one of 98 established across the province by the Provincial Population Office, is designed to support adolescent health, youth development, and mental well-being. Equipped with P500,000 worth of resources, it includes facilities for recreational activities and educational tools.
Governor Defensor highlighted the significance of the new facility, which is expected to serve 287 students from Cordova NHS and youth from six neighboring barangays: Cordova Norte, Cordova Sur, Linobayan, Sipitan, Bantud, and Bangkal.
“We are also interested in your social life and psychosocial well-being. You are our students, and we want to help in your education inside the classroom. But beyond that, you are also our teenagers and our youth,” Defensor said.
As part of his BES Probins (Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya) program, Defensor also announced plans for a Teen Center 2.0 project in Tigbauan, which will further enhance the province’s support for school infrastructure and youth programs. The initiative aims to provide career guidance and educate students on voter participation.
The inauguration was attended by several local officials, including Municipal Administrator Suzette Alquisada, who represented Mayor Virgilio Teruel; DepEd Schools District of Tigbauan Supervisor Edmund Mirasol; Cordova NHS Principal I Dr. Maribel Lasquite; Provincial Population Office Chief Atty. Ruel Von Superio; and Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan Iloilo President Esara Aldeguer Javier.
Atty. Superio emphasized the teen center’s role in improving students’ overall well-being, which he believes is crucial for academic success. “This center is not only a facility, but a symbol of commitment to guiding the youth towards the right path, making them responsible and productive citizens of our country,” he said.
