Turning the Tide: San Jose’s Comprehensive Approach to Adolescent Health
Stories
Before working with The Challenge Initiative (TCI), San Jose City in Nueva Ecija had a high rate of adolescent pregnancies. In 2020, the city recorded 43 births per 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19—higher than the national target of 37 per 1,000.
Jaira, a 15-year-old girl with dreams of becoming a flight attendant, got pregnant after a relationship with an older partner. She now lives with her parents and works on a farm to support her child. While she cannot change the past, she hopes for a better future for her and her family.
Mayor Mario “Kokoy” Salvador understood the link between poverty and teenage pregnancy. He wanted to address both by improving education and economic opportunities for young people. “Poverty grows when young people can’t finish school, so I wanted to find ways to reduce poverty,” he said.
San Jose City, located in Luzon, is a major transportation hub. Students from nearby towns like Rizal, Lupao, and Carranglan come to study here, contributing to high adolescent pregnancy rates.
Partnership with TCI
San Jose City in Nueva Ecija has made great progress in improving youth health through its partnership with Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), through TCI. City leaders say that TCI’s programs, especially the Leadership for Adolescent and Youth-Friendly Cities (LAYFC) training, have helped strengthen their adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH) programs.
At first, city and health officials were hesitant to join TCI. It was a new program in the country, and San Jose was one of the first cities to participate. But after learning about TCI’s successful strategies, they saw how it could help address the city’s urgent health issues.
San Jose’s partnership with TCI began in 2021. Mayor Salvador and his City Leadership Team (CLT) took part in LAYFC training, a key requirement set by TCI. This training gave them the knowledge and skills to lead the city’s AYSRH programs.
The CLT, made up of officials from different local government offices, was established through Executive Order 36, series of 2021. Despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the team remained dedicated. They updated their plans based on community input, ensuring their efforts directly benefited young people.
Making An Impact
By 2023, San Jose City’s adolescent birth rate (ABR) had dropped to 30 per 1,000, meeting the national target. The City Health Office (CHO) expects it to fall further to 27 per 1,000 by the end of 2024.
San Jose City worked with the Department of Health (DOH), Commission on Population and Development (CPD), public hospitals, and private health facilities to expand family planning (FP) services. Engaging private hospitals and lying-in clinics helped increase the modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) from 31% in 2022 to 32% in 2023, surpassing the national target.
The city trained healthcare workers and collaborated with private groups, providing them with FP supplies in exchange for monthly reporting. The city also built a strong data reporting system to track progress and adjust strategies as needed.
The Mandanas Ruling allowed San Jose to procure its own FP supplies, strengthening public-private partnerships and expanding access to contraception.
Empowering Healthcare Workers
All ten health facilities in San Jose City are now certified as adolescent-friendly health facilities (AFHFs). The city also launched the first Teen Information Center in the region, a hub where young people can access reproductive health information and support.
Training healthcare workers was a key strategy. In 2023, 37 workers completed programs like Adolescent Development Enhancement and Practical Training (ADEPT) and Family Planning Competency-based Training (FPCBT). They also received training in handling sensitive adolescent health issues. These efforts ensure that teens and young adults receive the best care possible.
Strengthened Policies and Budget Commitment
The local government passed five resolutions, two executive orders, and one city ordinance to sustain these efforts. One resolution authorized the mayor to sign an agreement with TCI. Ordinance 20-032 supports young mothers and helps prevent repeat pregnancies among teenagers.
The city also significantly increased funding for adolescent health. In 2023, it allocated PhP 1.6 million. By 2024, the budget had risen nearly 200% to PHP 4.6 million, with 92% of it already spent on training, service expansion, and making health facilities more youth-friendly.
Building a Future for Young People
San Jose City continues to expand its programs, ensuring young people have access to the information and care they need. The City Population Office and the Department of Education (DepEd) have partnered to implement Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in schools. The CHO is also working with private birthing centers and clinics to improve FP services.
The city has launched several initiatives to promote responsible parenting and family planning:
- Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya (KATROPA): Encourages male involvement in family planning.
- Batang Ina at Batang Ama (BIBA): Supports teenage parents in raising their children.
- Information and Service Delivery Network (ISDN): Dispels myths and misinformation about contraception.
San Jose’s experience provides valuable lessons for other cities, especially those with growing migrant populations that may face similar challenges.
A New Dawn for San Jose’s Youth
“I am thankful to the RHU for always checking in on me and my family. When I miss a check-up, they send a barangay health worker to remind me, bring vitamins, and share information so I can prevent another unplanned pregnancy,” Jaira said.
Her involvement in the Usapang BIBA program has inspired her to help others avoid the same mistakes. “I want young people like me to know that we can turn our lives around after a mistake.”
Jaira’s journey shows the power of support and guidance. San Jose City’s work with TCI is a model for communities addressing similar issues. By prioritizing youth health, cities can create a better future for the next generation.
As Mayor Salvador put it, “We are proud of what we’ve achieved, but there’s still more to do. With the help of TCI, our community, and our partners, we’re confident that we can build a better future for the youth of San Jose City.”
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