Iloilo opens biggest teen center at Iloilo National High School

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Iloilo provincial government inaugurated the Balay Minerva Teen Center, its largest Teen Center 2.0 facility, at Iloilo National High School (INHS) on September 30.

Named after the goddess of wisdom and justice, the two-story flagship facility, which cost PHP 12 million, is expected to benefit more than 6,270 students of INHS by providing access to adolescent health services and interventions.

Unlike previous school-based teen centers, the stand-alone building features a counseling and reading room on the first floor, and a dance studio, music room, and mini gym on the second floor.

Provincial Population Office chief Atty. Ruel Von Superio said the facility symbolizes the provincial government’s commitment to total youth empowerment.

“This is not just a building but a hub to help young people grow into responsible and productive individuals towards a stronger and more progressive Iloilo,” Superio said.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. emphasized that the teen center is designed not only to address academic needs but also the psychosocial well-being of students.

“Total youth development will happen inside the teen center. It will serve as the nerve-ending and detector in understanding the issues faced by our youth,” Defensor stressed.

Commission on Population and Development VI Regional Director Harold Alfred Marshall lauded the project, describing Balay Minerva as the “biggest and most beautiful teen center in the country.”

The inauguration was also attended by INHS Principal IV Delorah Cecilia Fantillo, DepEd Iloilo Schools Superintendent Dr. Ernesto Servillon, SK Federation President Esara Javier, Provincial Engineer Romeo Andig, Provincial School Board Secretary Freda Fajardo, and INHS Parents-Teachers Association President Annabelle Samaniego.

The Teen Center 2.0 program of the Iloilo Provincial Population Office is an upgraded version of the school-based teen centers established in 2011.

Balay Minerva is among the 11 pilot centers under construction, while the provincial government currently operates 102 active teen centers in secondary schools province-wide.