Published on: February 22, 2023
By Marcelo Pedalino
TACLOBAN CITY (PIA) -- The provinces of Southern Leyte and Samar in Eastern Visayas will be the center of attention on how these LGUs fare in reducing the increasing number of teenage pregnancy in five years, through a joint program funded by a Korean-based agency.
Officially called Joint Programme on Accelerating the Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy in Southern Leyte and Samar, its launching was held February 20 at the Summit Hotel, this city, with Department of Health OIC-Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire attending.
“The program is set to run from 2022 – 2026, covering 18 municipalities and one city or 500 barangays in Southern Leyte, and 24 municipalities and one city, or 951 barangays in Samar,” the DOH regional office said in a press statement.
Funding for the project was primarily sourced from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), with a total fund allocation of USD6.5 million, it was learned.
Leading the pack for the project’s implementation are the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the World Health Organization (WHO).
It will also be co-implemented by the Department of Health with the DepEd, the DSWD, the DILG, and the NEDA, as well as the regional, provincial, and municipal Local Government Units, the press report said.
“Throughout the course of the project, the implementing agencies and development partners are expecting to improve access to quality information and services for adolescents; raise adolescents’ self-awareness and rights to enable them to make informed choices about their own bodies; and enhance governance for adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health,” the DOH statement further said. (MMP/PIA Southern Leyte)
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