From Momentum to Milestone: Mandaluyong City’s TCI Journey
When Mandaluyong City joined The Challenge Initiative (TCI)-Philippines in 2023, it did so with quiet determination and a clear sense of purpose. Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr.’s letter of intent wasn’t just a formal document—it was a signal that the city was ready to invest in the future of its people, especially women and young people, by prioritizing access to quality family planning (FP) and adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH) services.
At the time, Mandaluyong’s modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) stood at 22%—still far from the national target of 37%. The adolescent birth rate (ABR) was 13 births per 1,000, better than the national average but showing an erratic pattern. These numbers gave us a snapshot: progress, but also room (and reason) to do more.
Through a collaborative Program Design Workshop in November 2023, city stakeholders and the TCI team got to the heart of the matter. Together, three key challenges surfaced: fragmented coordination across departments, widespread myths and misconceptions about FP, and a lack of trained personnel. Familiar challenges, yes—but the way Mandaluyong tackled them was anything but typical.
The city immediately set up a City Leadership Team (CLT), pulling in champions from different departments. This team wasted no time adopting five of TCI’s high-impact practices (HIPs): strengthening health leadership, engaging communities, making services more adolescent-friendly, improving post-pregnancy family planning, and empowering community health volunteers. Each intervention was locally driven and tailored to Mandaluyong’s needs.
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Since then, it’s been a steady roll-out of smart, strategic, and scalable actions. Health workers have been trained on everything from informed consent to subdermal implants to intrauterine device (IUD) insertion. Youth leaders were engaged through the Sangguniang Kabataan orientation. Population workers, health leaders, and facility staff were brought into the fold through orientations, workshops, and coaching sessions. Alongside that, the city integrated FP and AYSRH programs into local events like the Adolescent Congress, Healthy Buntis Pageant, and Family Planning Month—turning awareness into action.
Fast forward to today: the city has built a solid foundation for long-term self-reliance. There’s now a pool of Master Coaches mentoring others, a trained workforce offering quality FP and AYSRH services, a functional and empowered CLT, and an operational Health Management Information System that helps track performance and identify gaps. Even more affirming, the LGU has continued to increase its local investment in FP and AYSRH—a strong signal of ownership.
The results are real: mCPR has gone up to 23.4%, and ABR has remained stable at 13. These may sound like small shifts, but they represent steady, measurable progress—especially in a field where change doesn’t happen overnight.
And here’s what excites us even more: as of July 2025, there’s been a change in leadership in Mandaluyong. Mayor Carmelita “Menchie” Abalos, previously the Vice Mayor, is now at the helm. It’s clear that continuity is likely—especially with strong advocates like City Health Officer (CHO) Dr. Arnold Abalos and Assistant CHO Dr. Emily Detaro still championing FP and AYSRH from within. Their commitment, paired with Mayor Menchie’s openness to sustain the work already in motion, gives us confidence that the city’s momentum won’t just continue—it’ll grow.
Mandaluyong’s journey with TCI is a solid example of what can happen when cities lead from the front—when political will, technical capacity, and community ownership come together with purpose. We’re looking forward to officially recognizing Mandaluyong as a self-reliant city on FP and AYSRH by September.
Author: Dr. Anthony Faraon, ZFF TCI-Philippines Chief of Party
Turning Vision into Action: Naga City’s Bold Steps Toward Zero Teen Pregnancies
Naga City, the ‘Heart of Bicol’, is known for its rich history, deep religious heritage, and a strong sense of community. With a population of 209,170 as of the 2020 Census of Population and Health, it stands as the second most populous city in the Bicol Region. However, like many growing cities in the Philippines, it grapples with significant social challenges, including the rising concern of adolescent pregnancy, which continues to impact the youth and local development efforts.
Based on city reports, Naga’s adolescent birth rate (ABR) surged dramatically in recent years, climbing from 21 per 1,000 live births in 2020 to 106 in 2021, and even higher in 2022 at 110. This prompted local officials to rethink how they addressed adolescent reproductive health. Mayor Nelson Legacion recognized the urgency of the situation, particularly as young people struggled with limited access to reproductive health services and faced social stigma. The COVID-19 pandemic only made things worse by disrupting outreach programs and services.
A Strategic Partnership to Drive Change
In 2021, Naga City partnered with The Challenge Initiative (TCI)-Philippines, co-managed by the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health. This partnership led to the creation of a City Leadership Team (CLT), which helped harmonize and scale up family planning (FP) and adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH) efforts.
“We’ve had adolescent-focused initiatives in the past, but they were not well-coordinated or harmonized,” said Joy Macaraig, Assistant Department Head of the City Population and Nutrition Office (CPNO). With 26 years in public service, she explained how the integration of FP and AYSRH under the CPNO helped streamline both outreach and service delivery. The CLT further empowered various departments to incorporate adolescent health into their work.
The results were striking: by 2023, Naga’s ABR had dropped to 71, and by 2024, it had plummeted to 20—well below the national target of 37 .
From Pilot to Full Coverage: Empowering Barangays
Originally launched in three barangays, TCI’s model was soon expanded to six through the mayor’s initiative, and later to all 27 barangays in the city. The backbone of this local effort was the Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPOs), who not only tracked adolescent mothers but also ensured these young families received critical health and nutrition services.
Healthcare workers were also equipped through TCI University, an online platform offering practical tools and real-world examples. Janet Beloro, a midwife at the City Health Office, noted the improvement in her service delivery. “When clients return and tell me they will practice family planning, that’s when I realize I’ve made a difference—that I’ve been an effective provider. I see their health literacy improving, and for young people especially, I notice their growing awareness.”
Institutionalizing the Vision: Naga’s AYSRH Ordinance
In 2023, Naga passed City Ordinance No. 2023-025, also known as the AYSRH Ordinance. Authored by Councilor Gayle Abonal-Gomez, a member of the CLT, the ordinance institutionalized adolescent health initiatives and created a dedicated local budget to fund them.
One key result was the establishment of an Integrated Service Delivery Network (ISDN), which strengthened referral pathways among barangay health stations, hospitals, schools, and NGOs. This made it easier for adolescents to access the care they need, when and where they need it.
Creating Safe Spaces for Teens
Another major achievement of the ordinance was the rollout of teen hubs in schools and barangays. These safe spaces provide young people—including out-of-school youth—with information, counseling, and support.
At Concepcion Pequena National High School, teacher Dessa Bermejo helps manage their school’s Teen Hub. “With teenage pregnancy remaining a pressing concern, young people need a safe space where they can confide in someone they trust—someone who will listen without judgment and provide the guidance and support they need,” she shared.
Teen hubs have already been set up in Barangays Balatas and Calauag, and the goal is to bring these hubs to every school in the city.
Empowering Youth Through Communication
To support a more holistic approach to adolescent well-being, the Commission on Population and Development Region V launched the ‘Hearts and Minds’ campaign, under Director Joyce Dela Paz-Hilvano. This pre-orientation program focuses on emotional well-being and self-awareness, laying the foundation for more informed decision-making in adolescence.
The result? Naga’s modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) has remained above national targets, signaling sustained progress in FP and AYSRH initiatives.
Funding the Future
Since joining TCI, Naga has grown its investment in AYSRH from Php 2.2 million in 2023 to Php 5.1 million in 2024. This increase supports teen hubs, healthcare worker training, and the continuous delivery of reproductive health services.
Importantly, the city’s general fund and annual investment plan now include AYSRH—securing financial sustainability beyond political cycles.
Naga City’s experience shows that tackling adolescent pregnancy demands leadership, coordination, and sustained investment. Its journey offers a clear message to other local governments: meaningful change is possible when adolescents are placed at the center of public health and development efforts.
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Day 3 of the The Challenge Initiative (TCI)-Philippines Webinar Series (May 30, 2025) featured Las Piñas and Iloilo’s efforts to make health services more responsive to adolescents. Speakers highlighted referral networks, safe spaces, and youth participation. Invited reactors from the Commission on Population and Development emphasized that cities must sustain progress and ensure services remain engaging, respectful, and youth-centered.
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The Challenge Initiative-Philippines Webinar Series Day 2: Expanding Family Planning through Outreach (Biñan, Mandaue, Manila)
Day 2 of the The Challenge Initiative (TCI)-Philippines Webinar Series (May 28, 2025) focused on how the cities of Biñan, Mandaue, and Manila are reaching more women through community-based family planning. Speakers emphasized shared leadership, house-to-house services, and mobile health caravans. Dr. Manuel Dayrit of the Zuellig Family Foundation pointed to leadership, technical skills, resources, and community engagement as key success drivers.