CAMIGUIN (PIA)-- Highlighting the province's commitment to empowering the youth, Gov. Xavier Jesus Romualdo underscored in his State of the Province Address, January 6, the comprehensive programs that they will implement to address various challenges faced by young individuals in the province.

"The youths of Camiguin hold immense potential, but for them to be able to realize that potential, we must provide them with the necessary support, guidance, and protection," Romualdo said.

Thus, as part of this commitment, the Youth Care Program was relaunched to ensure the holistic development of the younger generation.

Last year, Romualdo said the program reached over 10,941 junior and senior high school students in 16 public high schools and integrated schools. The initiative focused on providing proper information and education on crucial issues such as mental health, adolescent sexuality, child abuse protection, and avoiding youth delinquency.

A total of 1,231 high school students participated in a Youth Summit, which provided a forum to talk about and address important issues like teenage pregnancy, illegal drug use, sexually transmitted infections, the human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), bullying, and mental health issues.

Romualdo also expressed the goal of empowering the youth through information, education, communication, and advocacy programs, allowing them to grow into healthy, strong, and dynamic adults.

In line with his campaign commitment, Romualdo reported progress on establishing teen centers in each municipality. Currently, three centers are operational, with plans for more, equipped with computers, printers, air conditioning, television sets, sound systems, musical instruments, and board games.

"We will ensure that there will be 10 centers in Guinsiliban and Mahinog before my term ends in 2025," he added.

Safeguarding the youth's health

Despite the previous success in reducing teenage pregnancies from 2018 to 2021, Romualdo noted a concerning rise, with 73 recorded from January to October 2022. To address this, the Youth Care Program will be fully reinstated, aiming for a reduction as witnessed in the pre-pandemic years.

He is also considering the Health Department's suggestion of imposing a curfew for minors and is studying its feasibility, emphasizing the need for a whole-of-community approach. He requested the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to issue an adolescent pregnancy prevention ordinance to mobilize local and national government offices comprehensively.

"We all have to work together to safeguard our youth from consequences that will harm their health," Romualdo said.

The provincial government also continues to support youth education through the Provincial Youth Grant Program, benefiting a record-high 2,683 recipients who received a P6,000 allowance.

Romualdo's commitment to the welfare of Camiguin's youth extends beyond teenagers to their younger siblings. The Patsinelas Program, which provides slippers, haircuts, nail trimming, lice treatment, and supplementary feeding, has resumed, benefiting 3,522 students in 20 public elementary schools.

Moreover, through the Essential Health Care Package Program, the provincial government has provided kits to 12,639 schoolchildren in 55 public elementary schools, promoting healthy habits such as handwashing, tooth brushing, deworming, and proper nail trimming.

The governor emphasized the commitment to instill healthy habits in children, addressing issues like underweight and severe underweight cases. Vaccination programs against measles, rubella, and polio were also successful, achieving a 99.13% coverage rate.

The province's commitment to youth development extends to sports and skills training, with 565 children trained in various disciplines like badminton, basketball, chess, dance sport, guitar, gymnastics, painting, taekwondo, tennis, track and field, swimming, and volleyball.

Romualdo affirmed his commitment to the holistic development of Camiguin's youth and the well-being of vulnerable sectors, ensuring that no one is left behind in the province's journey toward progress and prosperity. (RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)