Gab held for Bontoc teens vs pregnancies

By Christy Mae F. Che-es

BONTOC, Mountain Province – A seminar on adolescent health and development was held in response to request of Grade 12 students here of Saint Vincent’s School-High School.
    The Bontoc local government through the Population and Development Office in coordination and provincial government conducted the event on March 9-11.
    A total of 150 high school students signed in for the activity.
    According to Population Program Officer I Elizabeth Faba-an, the activity aimed to reduce pregnancy among adolescents among other reproductive health problems to provide accurate information on nutrition and boundaries for adolescents.
Nelson Padchonga, a senior high school student from SVS said they requested the activity since teenagers like himself are more vulnerable to issues like teenage pregnancy and mental health issues.
    Padchonga expressed his gratitude to the Bontoc LGU for their positive response to their request.
    Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey commended the students for their initiative and participation in the activity.
    “Adolescents are indeed vulnerable as they are in the stage in which they go through changes. Thus, guidance coming from their families as well as the government are necessary,” he added.
    Topics discussed during the seminar included nutrition for adolescents by Nurse I Venous Faith Cofulan, prevention of teenage pregnancy, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) by nurse I Aracelle Aguilba, setting healthy boundaries for teens by Social Welfare Officer III Stephanie Kanongkong, all from the Bontoc LGU, and presentation on population by Population program officer IV Eunice Andaya from the provincial government.
The activity was funded by the Bontoc LGU while technical assistance was provided by Provincial LGU.