DOH launches TEENDIG project in Batangas City

By Thiago Santos Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Calabarzon (Photo from DOH CHD Calabarzon) BATANGAS CIT...

By Thiago Santos

Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Calabarzon (Photo from DOH CHD Calabarzon)

BATANGAS CITY - A project was recently launched here to address the mental health needs of teenagers in the area, and it includes a variety of activities such as workshops, counseling sessions, and awareness campaigns to promote mental well-being among the youth.

The Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Calabarzon spearheaded launching og TEENDIG Kabataan! At Batangas City Integrated High School, there is a Kalusugan ay Pahalagahan adolescent-friendly facility.



This is the second facility opened in the region by the DOH-CHD and the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 4A to support their campaign to promote sex education and mental health awareness among youth.

The TEENDIG project, which began at Antipolo City National High School, aims to provide students with health services that will also benefit their psychosocial and mental health.

The TEENDIG project can offer a variety of services, including general health assessment history, physical exam, healthy lifestyle counseling, substance abuse counseling, cancer prevention counseling, psychosocial risk assessment and management, and reproductive health assessment and counseling.

According to DOH-CHD 4A, the facility will also focus on the health issues that young people face today, such as teen pregnancy, HIV, mental health issues, and others.

The TEENDIG project, according to DOH-CHD 4A Regional Director Ariel Valencia, is one way they see addressing some of the health issues confronting today's youth.

According to DOH data, teenage pregnancy cases for youth aged 10 to 19 increased to 9.38% in 2022, up from 8.64% in 2020. In Calabarzon, 4,261 cases of early pregnancy were recorded, with Rizal leading the way with 1,187 cases, followed by Batangas with 935, Laguna with 829, Cavite with 758, and Quezon with 552.

In 2023, there are 1,454 new cases of HIV reported, with the majority of cases related to 'MSM or men who have sex with men.'

Valencia claims that the project will use a peer-to-peer approach to empower youth and turn them into health advocates.

"We will take a peer-to-peer approach in this project. We will empower students by enlisting them as health advocates. Bridging the gap on certain health issues that today's youth face "Valencia said.

Batangas 5th District Representative Honorable Mario Vittorio Mario, Mayor Beverly Rose, Bb. Pilipinas Santolan, Pasig Representative Ar. Xena Ramos, Social Media Personality Queenay Mercado, and other Batangas officials were among those who supported and attended the facility's opening.

The DOH also offered free HIV testing to students aged 15 and up, as well as leaflets about teen pregnancy.

The TEENDIG project will be expanded to other towns and cities throughout Calabarzon.