On August 15, 2025, Samar leaders, health workers, youth representatives, and development partners came together for the Expanded Youth Leadership and Governance Program (EYLGP) Colloquium. 

Implemented by the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the EYLGP builds the leadership of both young people and local governments. The program was first piloted in Mindanao and has since expanded to Samar and Southern Leyte, where it is showing promising results.

Samar’s EYLGP journey began in April 2023 when Governor Sharee Ann Tan, together with mayors and municipal health officers, met with the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) to tackle the province’s high rate of teen pregnancies. At this meeting, the mayors and health officers signed learning contracts to affirm their commitment to the program.

Two years later, in Samar, EYLGP has trained 81 municipal leaders, along with youth leaders and representatives from the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education, and Department of the Interior and Local Government. Together, they improved local governance systems that directly affect adolescent health.

Related article:

• Southern Leyte Shows Progress in Reducing Teen Pregnancies

The results are encouraging. In partner cities and municipalities, the adolescent birth rate (ABR) went down by 5% from 2022 to 2024: from an ABR of 38.1 per 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19 in 2022 to 36.1 in 2024. The use of modern contraceptives among adolescents also more than doubled in the same period. These numbers mean more young people are getting the right information and services to protect their health and future.

However, challenges remain:

• Provincial ABR is still higher than the national target of 30 at 33.7 per 1,000 in 2024, and the overall trend for Samar shows an increase from 27.33 (2022) to 28.28 (2023) to 33.7 (2024).
• Young adolescents (10 to 14 years old) experienced a 28% rise in births from 2022–2024.
• Education completion rates are declining: Elementary school completion dropped from 99.55% (2022) to 87.6% (2024), and high school completion went from 100% to 51.35% over the same period.
• Poverty remains high at 24.9% in 2023, affecting adolescent risk.

During the Colloquium, participants shared what worked best in Samar:

• Functional local committees that regularly meet to address adolescent health issues.
• Local policies backed by real budgets to support teen pregnancy prevention.
• Adolescent-friendly health facilities and services in communities.
• Active involvement of youth leaders in peer education and information campaigns.
• Supportive mayors who invest in programs that keep young people in school.

To sustain these gains, ZFF and partners will continue coaching local governments until 2026. New initiatives include the Masayang Pamilya Parent-Teen Program in Calbayog and Catbalogan, and helping five LGUs integrate adolescent health and development into their long-term plans.

Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) President and Executive Director Austere Panadero challenged Samar to look ahead: “Over the last two years, you have shown remarkable support and commitment, but the question now is whether these efforts are enough to fully address adolescent pregnancy. Sapat na ba? This is an important moment to reflect on our gains and consider how we can move forward faster and more effectively.”

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.

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.”

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• 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.