Teen center in Leyte addresses rising pregnancy rates

A teen center in Carigara, Leyte aims to reduce the high rate of teenage pregnancies in the area. The facility, located near the municipal hall, is designed to support teenagers with counseling and educational programs. Since it opened in November 2024, around 20 teens visit each day. The center focuses on preventing risky behaviors that can lead to early pregnancy. John Lester Reamillo, the center's officer-in-charge, emphasized the importance of counseling in helping teens avoid such situations. In addition to reproductive health education, the center also offers reading programs and mental health support to help students. Reamillo noted that the youngest reported case of pregnancy involved a 14-year-old girl, highlighting the health risks and future challenges faced by young mothers. Factors contributing to teenage pregnancies in Carigara include peer pressure, family issues, and easy access to inappropriate online content. As of March 19, the town has recorded 64 teenage pregnancies. This initiative is part of a broader GlobalCare Philippines program, supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), which aims to promote adolescent reproductive health in Leyte municipalities like Barugo and Jaro.