LYDO CONDUCTS "PANAGDUAW" TO FORTIFY MANOLO FORTICH AGAINST TEENAGE PREGNANCY

Panagduaw by LYDO

The Local Youth Development Office (LYDO) of Manolo Fortich, with the support of Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño, organized the "Panagduaw" activity on July 25, 2024, at the Barangay Lingion covered court to combat teenage pregnancy in the municipality. The number of teenage pregnancies in the barangay is among the highest in the municipality, which is a cause for concern. Last year, in 2023, barangay Lingion ranked second in most cases of teenage pregnancy, following barangay Lunocan. This year, Lingion ranked 5th with 10 cases of teenage pregnancies from January to May.

“Panagduaw” in English translates to visitations. It is an activity by LYDO, led by LYD Officer Alejandro Arenal, that focuses on educating the youth through a series of entertaining and interactive symposiums. This event was attended by 50 youth from Barangay Lingion, ranging in age from 10 to 20 years. The activity’s facilitators were from BUKHAD (LGBTQIA Manolo Fortich Federation), personnel from the Local Government Unit, Manolo Fortich Youth Development Council (MFYDC), and representatives from the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation.

The participants were divided into groups, and each group alternated between six stations. Each station had two facilitators who conducted the symposium based on the topics assigned to them. The stations included: Film viewing, where they were shown a short film that presents how actions/choices influence their lives later on; Cause and Effect of teenage pregnancy using a tree model and allowing them to use the roots and leaves to identify cause and effect; Emotions to teenage pregnancy, how they would feel if it happens to them; Good touch and Bad touch, letting them decide for themselves what parts of the human body are okay and not okay to touch; ABCDE which stands for Abstain, Be faithful, Condom/Consult an adult, Don’t do drugs, and Educate yourself; and the Freedom wall.

After the symposium, the participants understood how teenage pregnancy can impact their physical, emotional, and mental health. 16-year-old Olen Eunice from Zone 5, Lingion, spoke to her fellow participants about how dangerous it is to be ignorant. “What I have learned from this activity is that it is relevant for us youth that we need to have the knowledge, we need to gain the knowledge in order for us not to be ignorant. As per our SK Kagawad Mr. Onahon, he said from our KK assembly, ‘Ignorance brings chaos’, so let’s not be ignorant of the things nga ga-surround sa atong society nowadays because it doesn’t bring bliss, it brings chaos,” Olen stated.

Arenal expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the people and organizations who supported the program, making it successful, “Daghan kaayong salamat, unang-una sa atong Mayor Hon. Rogelio Quiño, sa iyang supporta ani nga programa, ug sa kapitan sa atong host nga barangay, which is Lingion, Kapitan Elbern Onahon, ug sa SK council headed by Hazel Rose Tabian. Mapasalamaton pod ko sa atong mga facilitators nga naa diri.”

With the skyrocketing number of teenage pregnancies in the municipality, it is imperative to educate the youth and equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to make informed decisions. The "Panagduaw" activity is a step in the right direction towards empowering the youth and safeguarding their future.