19/10/2025
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ (๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง ๐๐ข๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ ๐ข๐ง๐๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ) : ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ - ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐, ๐๐๐, ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐
๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ .
Adolescents today are growing up in a fast-paced, information-saturated world where they are constantly exposed to diverse ideas, behaviors, and influences that shape their identity and decision-makingโparticularly around relationships and sexual health. Recognizing the importance of guiding this age group while respecting their growing autonomy, the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) of Isabela, through the STI, HIV, and AIDS Program under the leadership of Dr. Nelson O. Paguirigan, Provincial Health Officer II, successfully conducted the School-Based Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Sessions on Sexually Transmitted Infections, HIV, and AIDS in selected secondary schools across the province.
This advocacy initiative was implemented in close collaboration with the Municipal Health Offices (MHOs) and secondary schools from various Local Government Units (LGUs). It was actively participated in by Junior and Senior High School learners, who took part in a series of interactive sessions and discussions facilitated by trained health educators and program implementers.
The participating schools included Minagbag High School (Quezon, Isabela), Northern Isabela Academy (Sto. Tomas, Isabela), Ragan Sur National High School (Delfin Albano, Isabela), Sta. Maria National High School (Sta. Maria, Isabela), Mabini National High School (Gamu, Isabela), Regional Science High School (Tumauini, Isabela), and Manuel L. Quezon National High School (San Isidro, Isabela).
A total of 1,007 secondary students participated in the IEC sessions, composed of 427 male and 580 female learners. Among them, 295 studentsโ96 males and 199 femalesโvoluntarily submitted themselves to HIV counseling and screening.
The activity aimed to impart essential knowledge and empower the youth in preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and AIDS, which remain among the major public health concerns affecting adolescents today. It also addressed other pressing health and social issues among the youth, such as teenage pregnancy, substance use, road accidents, and mental health challenges.
Aside from the educational component, the service delivery activity through HIV counseling and voluntary screening provided a safe and confidential environment for students to access accurate information, receive professional counseling, and undergo HIV testing with the assistance of trained health professionals from the IPHO and participating MHOs.
Through engaging lectures, educational materials, and open forums, participants developed a deeper understanding of the modes of transmission, prevention strategies, and common misconceptions surrounding STIs and HIV/AIDS. The integration of voluntary HIV screening further reinforced the importance of early detection, confidentiality, and responsible health-seeking behaviors among the youth.
The activity concluded with positive feedback from both students and school officials, who expressed appreciation for the programโs relevance, timeliness, and holistic approach. It fostered a supportive environment where young people could freely discuss sensitive topics, guided by health experts and educators committed to promoting adolescent health and well-being. Overall, the School-Based IEC on STIs, HIV, and AIDS stands as a testament to IPHO-Isabelaโs unwavering commitment to educate, protect, and empower the youth toward making informed and responsible health decisionsโcontributing to the provinceโs vision of building healthier and more resilient communities.
