Iloilo’s teen health program just made Galing Pook’s top 19

By Mariela Angella Oladive

ILOILO CITY — The provincial government’s initiative to improve adolescent health and mental well-being has advanced to the top 19 finalists of the Galing Pook Awards.

The program is formally titled Tib-ong Kabataan: Total Adolescent and Youth Health Development for MoPRoGRes Iloilo.

Its name comes from the Hiligaynon word tib-ong, meaning “to uplift.”

Tib-ong Kabataan has reached 49,906 young people across the province through school- and community-based activities from its 2022 launch through 2025.

It operates in 70 public secondary schools and 17 community settings, offering integrated adolescent- and youth-friendly health services, psychological screening, counseling, and other interventions.

Reported outcomes include a 7% decline in births among individuals aged 10 to 19, from 2,102 in 2022 to 1,958 in 2025.

Iloilo also recorded an adolescent birth rate of 4.88 per 1,000 population in 2025, below the national target of 4.90.

Data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office also showed a 38% decrease in suicide deaths among individuals aged 10 to 30.

Gov. Defensor presented these results during the final presentation and interview for the top 19 national finalists on Oct. 20 at the Henry Sy Sr. Auditorium, SM Prime Holdings Headquarters, MOA Square, Pasay City.

Only 10 of the 19 finalists will receive the Galing Pook Award, which recognizes outstanding local governance initiatives.

The Galing Pook Awards, administered by the Galing Pook Foundation, have honored innovative local government programs since 1993.

Defensor emphasized that investing in the health and well-being of young people is essential to building a stronger and more resilient province and preparing the next generation to contribute to national development.

He stressed that protecting the youth and helping them develop their potential are critical to the country’s future human resources.

“If we do not have people, especially our youth at the education level, national development will not happen,” Defensor said.

The governor was joined by provincial health officers Dr. Maria Socorro Quiñon, Dr. Wendel Marcelo, and Dr. Rodney Labis, and provincial population officer Atty. Ruel Von Superio.

Iloilo previously received a Galing Pook Award in 2023 for its Zero to Limpyo Iloilo: Movement for a Province-Wide Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) Program.

The initiative promoted sustainable sanitation and helped the province become the first in the country to achieve Zero Open Defecation Grade 1 status.

Through Tib-ong Kabataan, the province is seeking further recognition for its efforts to strengthen local governance through youth-focused health and development programs.