MATAG-OB, LEYTE — Championing youth development and informed decision-making, the Municipal Population and Youth Development Office (MPYDO), in partnership with the Leyte Provincial Population Office (PPO), conducted an Adolescent Responsible Sexuality Education (ARSE) session at Matag-ob Stand-Alone Senior High School (MSASHS) in Barangay San Guillermo on November 5, 2026.
The collaborative educational initiative aimed to address critical adolescent health topics through age-appropriate, interactive learning formats designed for senior high school students.
Edutainment Puppet Show Sparks Student Engagement
Breaking away from traditional lecture-based seminars, the session utilized a creative edutainment puppet show featuring the characters Neneng and Biboy. The performance provided students with a fresh, relatable perspective on pubertal changes, peer pressure management, reproductive health, and broader Population and Development (POPDEV) concepts.
The interactive format allowed learners to explore complex personal topics in a safe, engaging environment designed to remove social taboos.
Multi-Agency Collaboration For Youth Welfare
The outreach session was facilitated by a specialized team from the Leyte Provincial Population Office, including Joe Gene D. Dumangas, Venusto Cyrus S. Elardo III, John Michael S. Leona, and Nicole S. Pedrera.
Local organizers emphasized that early education on responsible choices directly supports academic retention, health protection, and long-term community development:
Academic Retention: Equipping adolescents with reproductive health awareness reduces risks of unintended pregnancies and early school dropouts.
Peer Resilience: Guiding students on handling social pressure enables better personal choices during critical developmental years.
Community Population Alignment: Integrating POPDEV principles helps local youth understand demographic trends and responsible family development.
School administrators commended both the provincial and municipal population offices for bringing creative educational resources directly to Barangay San Guillermo, reinforcing Matag-ob’s broader commitment to youth empowerment.
