THE City Government of Tagbilaran marked another milestone in youth development with the official signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and the inauguration of the Tagbilaran City Teen Center on April 26, 2025.
The center is strategically located right across the Tagbilaran City Primary Care Facility (TCPF), ensuring accessibility to services and programs aimed at supporting the city’s young population.
The MOA between the Commission on Population and Development Region 7 (CPD 7) and the City Government of Tagbilaran formalizes a partnership that aims to promote adolescent health and development through the creation of a dedicated Teen Center— a safe, inclusive, and supportive space where adolescents can feel they are heard, valued, and guided.
Under the agreement, the City Government of Tagbilaran commits to providing, renovating, and maintaining the physical facility, including assigning personnel and providing necessary resources. Meanwhile, CPD 7 will offer technical assistance, conduct trainings, seminars, and regular monitoring, ensuring that the program aligns with the principles of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act.
The MOA was signed by Mayor Jane Yap and Atty. Bruce Ragas, Regional Director of CPD 7 and witnessed by Ms. Archel Lea Jayme, Information Officer II and Adolescent Health and Development Focal Person of POPCOM R7, Dr. Bryan Virtusio, Medical Officer III of TCPF.
The newly inaugurated Teen Center is equipped with a mini library, learning materials, board games, and recreational and educational areas where young people can spend their time productively. It also houses trained peer counselors and teen volunteers who are available to listen and provide emotional support fellow youth in need.
Mayor Jane Yap, the youngest and first female mayor of Tagbilaran City, led the ceremony and emphasized the importance of investing in young people.
“As a young leader myself, I know how important it is to invest in our youth. They are the strength and future of Tagbilaran,” Mayor Yap said during her remarks.
The Teen Center is part of the city’s comprehensive strategy to promote adolescent health, mental well-being, and youth engagement.
Through this initiative, the City Government aims to provide more opportunities for young people to grow in a healthy and nurturing environment.
With the establishment of the Tagbilaran City Teen Center, the local government reaffirms its strong commitment to uplifting the voices of the youth and ensuring that they are empowered, protected, and supported in every stage of their development.