Iriga City is home to diverse communities, including many indigenous peoples (IPs). Like other areas, the city faces reproductive health challenges such as misconceptions about family planning (FP), cultural hesitations, and difficulty reaching families in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).

In July 2023, the city joined The Challenge Initiative (TCI), a global platform implemented in the Philippines through the Zuellig Family Foundation. With this partnership, the Iriga City Government and the City Health Office renewed their efforts to strengthen FP and adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH), ensuring even the most underserved communities were included.

Related article:

• Nine Cities Recognized as Global Self-Reliant Cities in Reproductive Health

Stories from the Frontlines

FP Coordinator Cyrene Oliva shared how TCI’s approaches helped Iriga improve data quality and slowly raise its modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR). “Even if our mCPR dipped at first, we saw this as progress—because this time, our data was accurate. Now, with strengthened verification and continuous community engagement, our mCPR is climbing steadily again,” she said.

City Health Officer Dr. Ronald Pereña noted that mothers often hesitated to pursue family planning methods due to side effects, irregular supplies, and cultural expectations to seek their husband’s approval. Adolescents were also shy at first, but Oliva said that repeated discussions helped them open up. Several barangays later earned Certificates of Compliance as Level 1 Adolescent-Friendly Health Facilities—an important step under the AYSRH program.

Population Program Officer Mayet Amoroso Nacario observed that continuous awareness campaigns helped shift attitudes. “Before, many youth and even officials had little knowledge of adolescent health. Now, they are aware and more open. Teenage pregnancy still rises and falls, but families and schools are no longer ignoring it. There is now action and support,” she said.

Bridging Culture and Care

The city expanded FP access through Purok Kalusugan, a barangay-based initiative that integrates Department of Health (DOH) services at the purok level. Teams provided counseling, commodities, and even long-acting methods through house-to-house visits.

TCI supported Family Planning Competency-Based Training (FPCBT), enabling barangay workers to offer methods like implants and IUDs. This investment helped Iriga reach more IP communities in remote areas. Acceptance grew when IP barangay health workers—who were FP users themselves—became local champions.

Nacario shared that trust improved through repeated visits, conversations with leaders, and visible examples such as a chieftain choosing an implant. Dr. Pereña added, “Slowly but surely, you have to make them realize the big picture, that family planning will protect their health and wellbeing.”

Regular quality implementation checks, including monthly reviews and coaching, strengthened service delivery and ensured that adolescent-friendly facilities and FP programs remained responsive.

Stepping Up, Growing Up

Iriga also encouraged male involvement. More men began to ask for condoms and join FP discussions. Oliva recalled one husband who offered to have a vasectomy as a Valentine’s gift to his wife, saying it was his turn to share the responsibility.

The city also expanded AYSRH work in schools through the Department of Education (DepEd). Activities such as U4U Teen Trail sessions and age-appropriate film showings helped students learn about reproductive health and their rights. “Schools now invite us on their own,” Nacario said. “They even ask, ‘When will you come to our students?’ That’s proof that adolescent health is no longer taboo in Iriga—it is a collective priority.”

Sustaining Progress Together

Iriga built its FP and AYSRH efforts on trust, cultural sensitivity, and sustainability. The city allocated local funds, including support for IP communities, to ensure programs continue even after external support ends. Partnerships with DOH, the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), ZFF, and TCI provided coaching and capacity-building, while local leaders and women’s organizations strengthened community ownership.

As Dr. Pereña shared, family planning is now part of Iriga’s long-term development plans. The city’s journey shows that even the most hard-to-reach families can make informed choices when programs are inclusive, respectful, and community-driven.

The road to a healthier future for Filipino youth is not a scenic route—it’s an expressway we need to build now. Last week in Bohol, at the Adolescent Health Learning Exchange (AdHLEx)—organized by the Department of Health (DOH) Adolescent Health Unit and DOH Center for Health Development VII—government leaders, health professionals, civil society, and young people gathered to map that route. 

The metaphor of roads—national highways, boulevards, crossroads, and yes, rough roads—showed both how far we had come and how far we had fallen off the track. On the “national highway” are broad policy frameworks like the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act and the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Law. On the “boulevards” are adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) services. At the “crossroads” stand local governments and multi-sectoral teams deciding whether to press forward or stall.  Far too many young Filipinos also find themselves on “rough roads” marked by early pregnancy, mental health struggles, and lack of access to care. 

National data gives us a mixed view. According to the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), adolescent birth rates (ABR) in the Philippines have generally declined in recent years—a sign that sustained interventions are working. However, there has been a rise in births among girls aged 10 to 14 years old, which is a real concern. These pregnancies are often the product of abuse and exploitation, and they can have lifelong consequences for the health, education, and well-being of these children. This is not just a statistic—it’s a warning sign. 

The lesson from Bohol is crystal clear: adolescent health cannot be treated as a side street. It must be central to our public health and development agenda. That means three things. 

First, integration. ASRH is not separate from mental health, nutrition, or protection from abuse—they are all part of the same path. A national plan that doesn’t reach the barangay health station or school clinic is a highway that ends in a dead zone. 

Second, youth participation. In Bohol, young leaders were not tokens on a panel; they were drivers of solutions—designing peer-led programs, confronting stigma, and reaching peers in ways adults can’t. We cannot plan adolescent health “for them” without planning it “with them”.

Third, scaling innovation. From peer education networks to mobile health clinics, the solutions already exist in pockets of the country. The challenge is not invention—it’s political will, financing, and replication at scale. 

This is where the work of The Challenge Initiative (TCI)-Philippines offers important lessons. In 24 cities across the country, TCI has worked with local government units (LGUs) to make high-impact practices for ASRH a permanent part of their work.  These include strengthening leadership teams, training health workers, making health facilities more welcoming to young people, and embedding adolescent health in local investment plans. 

Related article:

• Eight Cities Share Success in Family Planning and Adolescent Health

For example, in several LGUs where TCI support was sustained, adolescent birth rates among 15–19-year-olds dropped significantly within a few years. Cities have adopted referral systems linking schools, barangay health stations, and hospitals; improved commodity security for contraceptives; and launched social behavior change campaigns that reach both in-school and out-of-school youth. These are not just pilot initiatives that go away when funding ends—they are built into LGU budgets, policies, and processes. 

TCI’s approach proves that with local ownership, data-driven planning, and community engagement, adolescent health programs can produce measurable results. But the rise in pregnancies among the youngest girls shows there are still gaps in protection, prevention, and early intervention. LGUs need to strengthen links with child protection mechanisms, expand mental health services, and equip frontline workers to detect and respond to abuse swiftly. 

The Special Health Fund under the UHC Law offers an untapped opportunity. LGUs can earmark these pooled resources for adolescent health—financing outreach programs, peer education, and youth-friendly clinics. Schools can become gateways to care, not just sources of information, by partnering with health providers for on-site services. Communities can become safe spaces where adolescents access help without fear or shame. 

We are in a race against time. Every delay means another young life derailed by preventable pregnancy, untreated mental health issues, or violence. The choice is ours: keep patching potholes, or build the expressways our adolescents deserve.

At AdHLEx, we chose the latter. Leaders from national agencies, local governments, and the youth sector committed to accelerate progress, address the alarming rise in pregnancies among the youngest girls, and ensure every adolescent in the Philippines can grow up healthy, educated, and safe. 

The rest of the country must follow—not someday, but now. 

Author: Dr. Anthony Faraon, ZFF TCI-Philippines Chief of Party

EYLGP Colloquium on Adolescent Health in Southern Leyte and Samar

On August 13 and 15, 2025, we will gather online for the Expanded Youth Leadership and Governance Program (EYLGP) Colloquium focused on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR) in Southern Leyte and Samar.

These virtual events will bring together youth leaders, local government unit (LGU) partners, and multisectoral stakeholders to share stories and lessons from the ground. Through public narratives and forums, we will highlight how young people and local leaders are working together to improve adolescent health and rights in their communities.

Join us on Zoom:

• August 13, 1:00 p.m.: Southern Leyte Colloquium (Register here)
• August 15, 1:00 p.m.: Samar Colloquium (Register here)

What to expect:

• Stories from youth champions and local leaders
• Panel discussions with municipal and provincial health officers, youth development officers, and ASRHR focal persons
• Videos from partner LGUs showcasing their local efforts
• Insights from the Department of Health, Commission on Population and Development, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Education, and Department of the Interior and Local Government

Be part of the conversation. Celebrate progress and inspire the next wave of youth leadership in health governance.

Las Piñas City has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a fishing village. Now a bustling urban center in southern Metro Manila, the city’s population reached 628,652 by 2025, according to the Department of Health. Among these, 107,113 adolescents aged 10 to 19—or 17% of the population—represent both a major opportunity and a growing challenge for the city.

Las Piñas has built a strong infrastructure for adolescent health: 30 health centers, all accredited as Level 1 Adolescent Friendly Health Facilities, three Teen Centers, a social hygiene clinic, and a birthing clinic. But behind this network was a serious problem: services for young people were often uncoordinated.

Programs from health, education, and social welfare sectors operated in silos. This meant young people often had to navigate confusing or disconnected services—leaving many without the help they needed.

 

A Closer Look at the Numbers

City records show the adolescent birth rate (ABR) rose from 16 births per 1,000 among girls aged 15 to 19 in 2021 to 18 in 2022. But what was more alarming was the gap between reported pregnancies and actual deliveries. Dr. Justine Hernandez from the City’s Adolescent Health and Development Program explained, “Many pregnant adolescents, fearing stigma and judgment, sought to give birth outside the city or concealed their pregnancies entirely, often delivering in distant provinces.”

This trend distorted data and revealed that many young mothers did not feel safe or supported locally. The modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) stood at just 12% in 2022.

Without a system that connects services, the city risked letting more adolescents face health issues, early pregnancy, and long-term social difficulties.

Why the System Was Not Working

Three key gaps held the city back:

1. No unifying policy to align different sectors and prioritize adolescent welfare.
2. No clear leader or champion for coordinated action.
3. No referral system to guide adolescents from one service to another when needed.

These missing pieces led to duplication, confusion, and many young people falling through the cracks.

Related articles:

• Eight Cities Share Success in Family Planning and Adolescent Health
• Cities Lead the Way in Family Planning and Adolescent Health—Webinar Series to Spotlight Local Innovations

A Turning Point: The Challenge Initiative

In 2023, Las Piñas joined The Challenge Initiative (TCI)-Philippines, a global program co-managed by the Zuellig Family Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health, and Bayer, with technical support from the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

This partnership gave Las Piñas not just funding, but a framework and technical support to fix the system.

Led by Mayor Imelda Aguilar and City Health Officer Dr. Juliana Gonzalez, the city formed a City Leadership Team (CLT). This brought together the City Health Office, Social Welfare Office, Local Youth Development Office, Public Employment Service Office, the Department of Education, the Philippine National Police, and the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK)—all committed to working together for adolescent health.

Creating the Information and Service Delivery Network (ISDN)

To connect fragmented services for adolescents, Las Piñas created the Information and Service Delivery Network (ISDN)—a system that links health, education, social welfare, and security services into one coordinated referral network.

By 2023, the city developed a referral algorithm and began drafting protocols to ensure that adolescents could easily access the right services, regardless of where they first sought help. Frontline workers were trained to screen adolescent concerns and refer cases—such as mental health issues or adolescent pregnancy—quickly and appropriately.

The process started with mapping all adolescent-serving agencies and assessing service gaps. Then, in December 2023, a three-day workshop facilitated by the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) helped align partners and establish shared referral processes and data-sharing agreements.

With a clear system in place, the city empowered frontliners and introduced monitoring tools to track referrals, improve service delivery, and ensure accountability across the network.

Strengthening Coordination and Passing Policies

To further institutionalize the work, Las Piñas aligned ISDN with the Department of Health’s Key Assistance for Developing Adolescents (KADA) Network. In September 2024, a local ordinance officially created the KADA Network, ensuring long-term policy support.

The networks were launched on December 6, 2024, complete with service catalogs, referral guides, directories, and resource maps.

Las Piñas did not stop at planning. The city rolled out activities to make the system effective and responsive:

• Regular Adolescent Case Management Conferences help network members jointly solve difficult cases like cyberbullying and sexual exploitation.
• Enhanced Usapan sessions improved counseling, contributing to a steady rise in mCPR.
• Dedicated Family Planning Implementers were deployed to barangays, reaching more adolescents and families directly.

A Model Worth Replicating

Las Piñas backed its reforms with dedicated budgets, policies, and leadership structures. The referral system is now embedded in how the city works—simplifying workflows and ensuring adolescents can get help wherever they first seek it, whether in school, a clinic, or a barangay hall.

Monitoring is led by the Health Promotion Unit, and the CLT regularly reviews progress and listens to feedback from the youth themselves. “These gains translated into better access,” said Dr. Hernandez, “as more families were able to choose and obtain their preferred contraceptive methods at the right time.”

And the results are starting to show. By 2024, ABR had dropped to 13 per 1,000 births among girls aged 15 to 19. Meanwhile, mCPR rose to 19%.

More than just improving services, the city built a model that centers adolescents, builds community trust, and connects systems. From policy to practice, and planning to grassroots action, Las Piñas has become a leading example of how local governments can transform health systems for the next generation.

Iloilo City, lovingly called the ‘City of Love’, has long been known for its cultural richness and educational institutions. But in recent years, it has also emerged as a national model for adolescent health reform. Faced with rising rates of teen pregnancy and weakened service delivery, the city responded with bold leadership, strong partnerships, and deep youth engagement—changing the story for its young population.

A Crisis in Continuity

In 2019, Iloilo City’s Adolescent Health and Development Program (AHDP) was in crisis. A leadership change at the City Health Office and the retirement of key personnel created disruptions in program continuity. At the time, the city had only one Level 2 Adolescent-Friendly Health Facility (AFHF) based in the Arevalo District. Despite support from the Integrated Service Delivery Network (ISDN) and local ordinances, the program remained fragile.

Even before the pandemic, adolescent health was already at risk. The city recorded an adolescent birth rate (ABR) of 36 per 1,000 girls aged 15–19 in 2019. One particularly alarming case involved a 10-year-old girl, the youngest known to give birth in the city—a clear sign of service gaps and unmet needs. By 2022, adolescents made up more than 18% of the city’s total population, amplifying the urgency.

Then COVID-19 struck, stalling what little progress had been made.

 

A Turning Point: Local Action Meets Global Support

Change began in earnest in 2022, when Iloilo City joined The Challenge Initiative (TCI)—a global program that supports local governments in implementing high-impact, sustainable family planning (FP) and adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH) interventions. Co-managed by the Zuellig Family Foundation and Bill and Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health, TCI helped the city reframe adolescent health as a shared, multisectoral responsibility.

A City Leadership Team (CLT) was formed, expanding the existing Technical Working Group into a powerhouse of cooperation. Members included city government units, the Department of Education (DepEd), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), local colleges, the Iloilo City Police, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation, and community organizations. Using TCI’s assessment tool as a strategic guide, the CLT pinpointed gaps and co-created solutions rooted in local realities.

“Through the Health Leadership and Management Program, our people evolved from support staff into leaders,” said Florence Joy Rubido, AHDP Nurse Coordinator. “We have achieved substantial progress. All district health centers in Iloilo City now have at least one Adolescent-Friendly Health Facility, and all adolescent focal persons from our nine district health centers have been capacitated through the AHDP foundational course in October 2023.”

Related articles:

• Eight Cities Share Success in Family Planning and Adolescent Health
• Cities Lead the Way in Family Planning and Adolescent Health—Webinar Series to Spotlight Local Innovations

Youth Voices at the Center

Iloilo’s new approach centered on empowering adolescents to lead. Programs like KaTEenAran, a teen center at Nabitasan Integrated School, gave marginalized youth a safe, structured space. The NewscasTEENg competition and the AHD Film Advocacy Contest with UP Visayas allowed youth to use media and storytelling as advocacy tools.

The Teen AD Facebook page grew into a vibrant online community, connecting over 2,900 members to health information and services. Meanwhile, the Peer Helpers Training program built a cadre of trained young advocates offering peer-to-peer support.

“Young people were not just reached, they were engaged on their terms, in ways that truly resonate,” said Richard Magullado, Information Officer of Commission on Population and Development (CPD)Region VII. “From film contests and newscasting to vibrant digital platforms, youth voices drove the movement.”

Reaching Every Barangay

The city also strengthened its demand generation workforce. All 224 Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPOs) were re-trained to deliver up-to-date FP information. The city’s grassroots commitment was evident in events like the Adolescent Summits in June and November 2024.

Held in Brgy. Sooc, Mandurriao and Arevalo respectively, these summits reached over 330 adolescents with sessions on teen pregnancy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), child labor, and family planning profiling. Parents were also engaged through Parent-Teen Talks and Usapan Sessions, breaking down taboos and building trust.

During Youth Day at Ramon Avanceña National High School, 92 adolescents joined interactive workshops on mental health, HIV, and Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC), reinforcing their agency and access to support.

Policy Backing and Budget Growth

Iloilo’s local policies strengthened these efforts. Ordinance No. 2017-048 institutionalized the ISDN, while Executive Order No. 141 (2021) underscored adolescent pregnancy as a national priority. These enabled a coordinated response, backed by real investment: the city increased its adolescent health budget by 620% from 2024 to 2025.

The results speak volumes. Between 2019 and 2024, ABR dropped from 36 to 24 births per 1,000 girls aged 15–19. Meanwhile, modern contraceptive prevalence rates (mCPR) have consistently exceeded the national benchmark of 30% at 41% in 2024.

A Movement Built to Last

“Iloilo City shows that when local leadership is bold, young people are engaged as partners, and systems are built to last, transformation becomes not just possible but inevitable,” said Magullado.

The city’s journey is far from over—but the foundation is strong. With sustained leadership, empowered communities, and energized youth, Iloilo is not only protecting its adolescents—it is equipping them to thrive.

And in true Iloilo fashion, it is doing so with heart.

Biñan City is proving that local government leadership, when paired with youth empowerment and data-driven strategies, can lead to measurable improvements in reproductive health. Once among the top 20 cities in the Calabarzon region for teenage pregnancies, Biñan has since emerged as a frontrunner in youth-focused family planning (FP) outreach, increasing its modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) from 71.3% in 2021 to 83.12% in 2024.

This progress did not happen overnight. Between 2016 and 2020, the Commission on Population and Development (CPD)-Calabarzon recorded 4,896 cases of teenage pregnancy in Biñan. In 2021 alone, there were 945 cases, with an Adolescent Birth Rate (ABR) of 47 per 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19—well above the national target of 30. These figures alarmed local leaders, prompting a full-scale response that combined service delivery improvements with strong demand generation.

 

Strategic Shift through Partnership

This urgent situation prompted Mayor Atty. Walfredo “Arman” Dimaguila Jr. and the local government to pursue a bolder, more integrated approach to reproductive health. A staunch advocate of youth development and a consistent champion for health equity, Mayor Dimaguila led the city in forming a partnership with the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) under The Challenge Initiative (TCI)-Philippines in 2021. Through a formal Memorandum of Understanding, Biñan established a City Leadership Team (CLT) composed of representatives from the City Population Office, Department of Health (DOH), CPD, and ZFF. The CLT broke down previously fragmented programming and created a coordinated structure for adolescent health planning and implementation.

A key part of Biñan’s approach was the deliberate combination of supply-side improvements with demand generation strategies. The city knew that simply offering services was not enough—people needed to understand and trust them. To create demand, Biñan mobilized community actors, trained peer educators, and conducted sustained information campaigns. This was particularly important for youth, whose needs are often overlooked or misunderstood in reproductive health programming.

Engaging the Youth as Partners

Recognizing young people as equal partners rather than passive recipients, Biñan prioritized their active involvement. Through partnerships with the Department of Education, school leaders, and parents, the city supported peer education, values formation, and comprehensive sexuality education. Atty. Nora Pangan, Acting Department Head of the City Population Office, shared that the team began with school administrators to earn their trust, gradually involving parents and students in the process. 

Despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city quickly pivoted to virtual platforms, ensuring continuity through online activities such as teenage pregnancy symposiums and adolescent health film dissemination. Once in-person activities resumed, Biñan organized blended, community-based events including the Pinsenya and Bunti’s Party, which used interactive learning to deliver maternal and reproductive health messages.

Teen centers became a cornerstone of the city’s youth strategy. School-based and community-based centers were designed to be safe, non-judgmental spaces for young people to access services, information, and mental health support. Formalized through Memoranda of Agreement with CPD-Calabarzon and educational institutions, three school-based teen centers were established across public and private schools. These centers also served as referral hubs under the Information Service Delivery Network (ISDN), linking adolescents to health providers and social support systems. Mental health, in particular, emerged as a recurring concern. Population Program Officer Hilario Pantua Jr. noted that the centers helped change how youth viewed mental health services, moving away from punitive associations with guidance offices and toward a model grounded in care and trust.

To expand reach and reinforce behavior change, Biñan trained peer facilitators and implemented youth-led sessions such as Breaking the Barrier Sessions (BTBS), Bunteens, Teenzania, U4U Teen Trail, and Parent-Teen Talks. These initiatives supported conversations on responsible parenthood, gender equality, and family planning—meeting adolescents where they were and speaking their language.

Related articles:

• Eight Cities Share Success in Family Planning and Adolescent Health
• Cities Lead the Way in Family Planning and Adolescent Health—Webinar Series to Spotlight Local Innovations

Building Demand, Strengthening Systems

Alongside youth engagement, Biñan strengthened its health service delivery system. Barangay health stations were upgraded and certified as Level 1 adolescent-friendly health facilities, while City Health Office I and II attained Level 2 certification. These facilities were staffed by adolescent health specialists and peer educators, ensuring services were accessible, inclusive, and age-appropriate.

At the core of these improvements was a commitment to data-driven planning. Through the Field Health Service and Information System (FHSIS) and the e-Plano platform, Biñan monitored service quality, contraceptive uptake, and teen pregnancy rates across all barangays. This digital infrastructure allowed for real-time tracking and responsive strategy adjustments, making program management more precise and impactful.

Complementing these efforts was the Serbisyong Arman Caravan, a mobile initiative delivering family planning and health services directly to barangays. The Caravan advanced the city’s rights-based FP messaging, promoting informed choice and correcting misconceptions about contraceptives. Rooted in grassroots engagement, the Caravan was instrumental in building community trust and addressing barriers to FP access.

Results and Sustainability

The results have been significant. City reports revealed that from an ABR of 47 per 1,000 in 2021, Biñan saw a sharp and steady decline: 22 in 2022, 16 in 2023, and 15 in 2024. This drop demonstrates the impact of the city’s combined efforts to build awareness, improve access, and nurture community support. Moreover, the rise in mCPR from 71.3 percent in 2021 to 83.12 percent in 2024 reflects not just improved availability of contraceptives, but also growing public confidence in family planning services.

To support this sustained progress, Biñan significantly increased its local investment in adolescent health. The city’s AYSRH budget rose from 625 thousand pesos in 2023 to 3.3 million pesos in 2024, and then more than doubled to 6.5 million pesos in 2025. These figures reflect the strong political will of Mayor Dimaguila and the City Council to institutionalize AYSRH programs and ensure that adolescent-friendly services are adequately funded across all barangays.

Biñan’s transformation is a testament to what is possible when leadership, data, and community action converge. Through its youth-led, multi-sectoral, and evidence-based approach, Biñan is building a future where every young person can access the services, information, and support they need to thrive—today and in the years to come.

The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) and The Challenge Initiative (TCI)-Philippines concluded a three-day webinar series titled “Sustaining Momentum: Driving Leadership in Building Responsive Systems for Family Planning (FP) and Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH).” Held on May 26, 28, and 30, the series showcased the work of eight local government units (LGUs): Iligan, Naga, Santiago, Biñan, Mandaue, Manila, Iloilo, and Las Piñas.

Kate Graham, Deputy Director of the William H. Gates Sr. Institute for Population and Reproductive Health, co-implementer of the TCI program, framed the event as a new chapter for local leadership: “This event marks not only a culmination, but a new beginning—one where cities take the lead in building stronger, more responsive systems for FP and ASRH.”

Day 1: Cities at the Forefront

Iligan, Naga, and Santiago shared how strong leadership fosters systems change. Mayor Frederick Siao of Iligan treated FP as a governance priority, while Naga Mayor Nelson Legacion institutionalized grassroots collaboration to address teen pregnancy. Santiago Mayor Alyssa Sheena Tan, represented by Population Program Officer Johanna Gabriel, highlighted youth empowerment through peer-led education programs. Adding depth to the discussions, Joyce Dela Paz, Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Region V Director, and Theresa Soriano, CPD Region II Director, served as reactors.

“Our cities aren’t just predicting change; they’re creating it, one policy, one partnership, and one empowered young person at a time,” said Dr. Anthony Faraon, Chief of Party of TCI-Philippines at Zuellig Family Foundation, as he challenged participants to move from “best practices” to “next practices”.

Day 2: Expanding Family Planning Through Outreach

The second day began with opening remarks from Dr. Ann Ysabel Andres, OIC-Division Chief of the Child, Adolescent and Maternal Health Division of the Department of Health (DOH). Biñan Mayor Arman Dimaguila, Jr. emphasized co-ownership in tackling health system weaknesses. Mandaue City Health Officer Dr. Debra Maria Catulong presented their Women’s Health Caravan, which delivers life-stage appropriate services directly to communities. Manila Family Planning Coordinator Dr. Evelyn Rimando explained how they reconnected with women through house-to-house family planning services.

Reacting to these presentations, Marilyn Ogaya, CPD Regional Director for CALABARZON, and Reynaldo Wong, CPD Regional Director for MIMAROPA, highlighted the importance of community outreach, data-driven programming, and integrated strategies that address both demand and service delivery gaps in family planning.

Dr. Manuel Dayrit, ZFF Chairman, identified four drivers of success: strong leadership, technical excellence, adequate resources, and community engagement.

Related articles:

• Cities Lead the Way in Family Planning and Adolescent Health—Webinar Series to Spotlight Local Innovations
• Five Cities Celebrate Milestone in Adolescent Health and Family Planning Efforts

Day 3: Reaching Adolescents through Adolescent-Friendly Services

On the final day, Iloilo and Las Piñas presented their adolescent health strategies. Dr. Justine Hernandez, Medical Officer of the Adolescent Health and Development (AHD) Program at Las Piñas City Health Office, shared how a referral network streamlined services among adolescent-serving agencies. Richard Magullado, Information Officer and AHD Focal Person at Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Region VI, described how Iloilo created safe spaces that encouraged youth expression and participation.

“As a continuous commitment to lead and sustain, graduating from TCI is not an end point. It is now your city’s duty to sustain your progress and motivate others to guide, support, and proactively create an efficient and equitable health system,” said Mylin Mirasol Quiray, Division Chief of Knowledge Management and Communications Division at CPD.

Adding further insights, Jackylin Robel, CPD National Capital Region Director, and Harold Alfred Marshall, CPD Region VI Director, responded to the city presentations emphasizing that adolescent-responsive systems must go beyond access—they must provide consistent, youth-friendly engagement that respects the rights and realities of young people.

Celebrating Local Innovation and Ownership

Over the three days, the webinar emphasized local ownership, integration of services, and community-driven change. Dr. Faraon praised the eight cities for their leadership and encouraged others to scale up proven models and build partnerships across sectors.

The eight featured cities—now TCI graduates—will serve as models for other LGUs working to improve family and adolescent health outcomes. Their stories underline a clear message: responsive governance saves lives.