THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development implemented in Central Visayas the Youth Development Session, a program designed for the teen-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program to keep children in school.

The pilot areas for the program are the towns of Compostela, San Remigio, Sogod, Tabogon, Barili, and Liloan in Cebu.

Through the 4Ps Expanded Regional Advisory Council, YDS in schools supported both beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries in achieving their “holistic and optimal adolescent development.”

“YDS is a convergence effort for junior and senior high school students to address the challenges faced by Filipino adolescents amid the Covid19 pandemic,” Jiah Sayson, DSWD-7’s 4Ps regional coordinator, said.

“Aside from Bata Balik Eskwela campaigns, we will implement the YDS to help the 4Ps households comply with the program conditionality, especially on education,” she said.

Although YDS attendance is not tied with the education grant, the official stressed that the monthly session is an additional service of the 4Ps-related programs for high school students.

The program seeks to boost the goal that all children study, graduate and have gainful employment or businesses to reduce intergenerational poverty.

“YDS topics tackled during sessions deal with adolescent dynamics, sexuality, career skills and other stuff designed to mold a better person in the family and the community,” Sayson said.

“The sessions also seek to address teenage pregnancy, reproductive health, peer pressure, dangerous drugs, pornography, decision-making and other issues that affect the youths,” she added.