SAN ENRIQUE, Iloilo – A dedicated facility designed to address the municipality’s most pressing adolescent health challenge broke ground here on July 16, 2026. The ₱5‑million Family and Youth Development Center (FYDC) signals a strategic investment in protecting young Ilonggos and strengthening the local healthcare landscape.
A Targeted Response to a Growing Concern
The two‑storey facility is a direct answer to the 30 active cases of teenage pregnancy currently recorded in San Enrique. Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. led the groundbreaking, joined by Mayor Gian Carlo Niño Fernandez, Vice Mayor Rosario Mediatrix Fernandez, and Department of Health VI Regional Director Dr. Mar Wynn Bello. The project is funded by the provincial government and implemented through the Provincial Population Office.
Provincial Population Office Chief Atty. Ruel Von Superio emphasized the governor’s commitment to youth and family welfare. He noted that strengthening families and guiding the youth ultimately builds stronger communities and a more resilient province. The facility will serve as a hub for programs that directly address the root causes of early pregnancy and provide critical support systems for adolescents.
A Safe Space for Education and Support
Once completed, the FYDC will host Pre‑Marriage Orientation and Counseling sessions to help young couples build stable family foundations. It will also provide dedicated offices for the Sangguniang Kabataan, the Local Youth Development Council, and Barangay Service Point Officers. These spaces create a structured environment where youth can access guidance, leadership training, and reproductive health education.
Barangay Service Point Officer Municipal President Analene Guevarra expressed relief at the development. She said the center will allow health workers to closely focus on early pregnancy among the youth and provide the necessary guidance. The facility fills a critical gap by offering a permanent, accessible location for programs that were previously conducted in makeshift venues.
A Province‑Wide Network of Youth Centers
The San Enrique FYDC is the 31st such facility established by the Iloilo Provincial Government, with two already fully operational in Igbaras and Lemery. The Capitol has invested ₱155 million to eventually construct centers in all 42 component municipalities and Passi City. This systematic rollout reflects a province‑wide strategy to standardize youth health services and ensure no community is left behind.
Governor Defensor also announced that a specialized program on social media management and digital wellness is being developed to provide mental health support to adolescents. This program will complement the physical infrastructure, addressing modern pressures that contribute to risky behaviors among teenagers. The approach combines bricks‑and‑mortar investment with forward‑looking digital health initiatives.
Teen Center Partnership Strengthens Impact
The FYDC will work in tandem with the existing Teen Center 2.0 at Dominador Abang Memorial National High School. That upgraded facility already provides psychosocial support, peer counseling, and adolescent health services directly on campus. The synergy between the school‑based center and the new municipal facility creates a seamless safety net for San Enrique’s youth.
The groundbreaking was one of the highlights of San Enrique’s 69th founding anniversary, marking a meaningful celebration that invests in the town’s future. As construction begins, the community anticipates a facility that will not only reduce teenage pregnancy rates but also empower young Ilonggos to make informed, healthy decisions about their lives.
