During a recently held coffee-table discussion held at Catbalogan City, Samar, DSWD Field Office 8 and its partners pledged their continued support and resources in the implementation of ProtecTEEN, a program which provides psychosocial support, skills training, and other protective services to teenage mothers, enabling them to break the cycle of poverty associated with early pregnancy.
During the said activity, DSWD provided financial assistance worth P150,000 to 30 adolescent mothers; each receiving P5,000.
Aside from the provision of services, DSWD and its partners recognize the critical role that education plays in helping these teens break the cycle of poverty and in preventing further cases of teenage pregnancy. According to DSWD Field Office 8 Regional Director Grace Subong, ” Sa DSWD, bawat buhay mahalaga. Kaya ang bawat babae, bawat bata, mahalaga. Kayo ang patunay na epektibo ang programang ito. Hindi lang kayo benepisaryo, partner namin kayo. Kayo na mismo ang maging boses ng ProtecTeen at aasahan namin na kayo ang magtuturo sa ibang mga teenager na huwag magmadali, na mahirap maging ina.” Further, according to DepEd Education Program Specialist Gye Lynn Godio, ” your education does not have to stop just because you got pregnant.”
The activity culminated with a signing of a pledge of commitment, which was signed by Samar Vice-Governor Arnold Tan, Provincial Committee on Education Chairperson Beethoven Bermejo Sr, DSWD Social Technology Bureau Director Marilyn B. Moral, DSWD FO8 Regional Director Grace Subong, DSWD Family and Women Division Chief Jelie Barceta, DepEd Education Program Specialist Gye Lynn Godio, and PLAN Philippines Project Officer Themotea Oraza. This pledge signified the continued partnership of DSWD, the Province of Samar, the Provincial Youth Development Office, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Commission on Population and Development Office, Department of Education, Plan Pilipinas, Sirak Kabataan, Sangguniang Kabataan of Catbalogan City, and other partners and stakeholders.
DSWD emphasized that the program is not designed to encourage risky behavior resulting in adolescent pregnancy, but rather to find the right interventions for these cases and to educate the youth in preventing teenage pregnancy.
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