Iloilo tops PopDev awards nationwide

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The province of Iloilo was hailed as the Most Outstanding Local Government Unit in the country for translating population and development priorities into community-based programs during the Rafael M. Salas Kaunlarang Pantao Awards on Nov. 26 at Eastwood Richmonde Hotel in Quezon City.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. received the award along with Vice Gov. Lee Ann Debuque, Commission on Population and Development (CPD)-6 Regional Director Harold Alfred Marshall, and Provincial Population Officer Atty. Ruel Von Superio.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Maria Socorro Quiñon and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office officer-in-charge Rani Melvi Cuarte also joined the provincial delegation.

Iloilo received a plaque and P300,000 cash prize from CPD Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales and Deputy Executive Director Lolito Tacardon.

The province was cited for its flagship initiatives addressing key demographic issues such as teenage pregnancy, unmet demand for family planning, adolescent mental health concerns, malnutrition among children below five, and gaps in data management.

The province currently holds the national record for the highest number of school-based multi-purpose teen centers.

As of 2025, a total of 102 teen centers have been established across Iloilo, with more still under construction.

The provincial government has also rolled out its Teen Center 2.0 facilities, designed as integrated sites for youth welfare and development.

Iloilo likewise initiated the development of Family and Youth Development Centers (FYDCs) in municipalities to strengthen family ties and community programs, supported by a comprehensive provincial population data bank that covers all 43 LGUs.

In his acceptance speech, Defensor highlighted the importance of population and development in nation-building.

“PopDev is about the development of the most important resource of our country, which is our people. There is nothing more important than our people,” he said.

Defensor also emphasized the key role of CPD and local population offices in building resilient Filipino families.

The Rafael M. Salas Kaunlarang Pantao Awards honors LGUs that lead in advancing and institutionalizing population and development initiatives at the local level.