BY RHENA JEAN H. BATOBALANI, DEANNE MAE C. URBIZTONDO, & MARINA O. VILLEGAS/CMU Interns
THE CITY Social Welfare and Development Office is advancing a proposed ordinance authored by Councilor Kristine Abdul Mercado, president of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation, seeking to establish teen centers in every barangay to provide accessible support and development programs for youth.
The CSWDO is supporting the initiative, with 97 SK offices identified as potential sites for teen centers or teen hubs across the city.
During the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps briefing on July 8 at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Emmanuel N. Crismas, acting division chief of the Davao City Youth Development Office under the CSWDO, said teen centers will address issues affecting the youth by providing a safe and supportive environment for their development.
Crismas emphasized that the teen centers are developmental rather than rehabilitation facilities. They aim to assist young people, particularly those from vulnerable or broken families or those with limited familial support, through programs that promote personal growth and positive community engagement.
The teen centers will offer services such as educational assistance, skills and leadership training, health and developmental support, and referrals to appropriate government agencies whenever necessary.
“This city center is development-oriented. It offers sports programs and other developmental activities that help divert the youth from negative influences. Through their participation in these activities, they develop their values, clarify their roles in their respective barangays, and become agents of change,” Crismas said.
The CSWDO will lead the program’s implementation, in partnership with the Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police (PNP), schools, barangays, and SK officials. School-to-school and community-based campaigns will be conducted to increase youth participation and awareness of available services.
Social workers will also monitor young people who are out of school, employed, or from vulnerable families to assess their needs and refer them to the appropriate agencies for additional assistance.
According to the CSWDO, the initiative aims to address the increasing number of out-of-school youth, rising mental health concerns among adolescents, and the need to strengthen youth engagement through regular barangay visits and psychosocial support.
Photo from Davao City government
