The Davao City Youth Development Office (DCYDO) is pushing for the establishment of Teen Centers in every barangay as part of efforts to provide accessible, development-focused services for young people across the city.
Acting Division Chief Emmanuel N. Crismas said on Wednesday that the city currently has one main Teen Center facility located in Barangay 2-A near People’s Park, which is operated by the City Population Division.
However, he said the city envisions expanding the initiative through a proposed ordinance that would institutionalize Teen Centers in all barangays.
He said the proposed ordinance is currently undergoing revisions after being referred back to the committee for further discussion.
Crismas said the city plans to maximize existing Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) offices by converting them into Teen Centers or Teen Hubs instead of constructing new facilities.
“Right now, naa ta’y 97 ka mga SKs nga naa’y SK office. Mao na ang atoang gina-target nga ma-convert siya from being an SK office alone to becoming Teen Center gyud or Teen Hub sa tag-sa-tag sa mga barangay,” he said during the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps media forum.
He emphasized that the Teen Centers are not intended to function as rehabilitation or correctional facilities but will instead focus on youth development.
“Atoang ginapaklaro nga ang kini mga Teen Center sa matag barangay, dili ni siya kadtong rehabilitation, rehabilitative, correctional in nature. Kay ang atoang mga Teen Center sa matag barangay, developmental ang ilahang approach,” Crismas explained.
According to him, the centers will primarily implement programs under the 10 Centers of Participation mandated for Sangguniang Kabataan councils while also serving as venues where young people can seek assistance.
Should concerns arise beyond the scope of the centers’ developmental programs, Crismas said referral mechanisms will be in place.
“In the event nga naa’y concerns nga na-capture outside atoang developmental… naa ta’y referral mechanisms nga atoang i-refer didto sa atoang social worker assigned sa matag barangay, sa atoang kapulisan, or kung asa man siya pwede i-refer nga ma-address to iyang panginahanglan,” he said.
Addressing concerns about funding, Crismas clarified that the city is not requiring SK councils to build new infrastructure. Instead, existing SK offices will be converted into Teen Centers, while the proposed ordinance will provide the legal framework and standards for their operation.
“Actually, dili gyud nato gamiton ang kwarta sa SKs in building a new infrastructure kay wala man gud na sa ilang mandate. Kining ilahang mga SK offices, mao ni ang ilahang i-convert becoming their Teen Centers,” he said.
For barangays that lack the capacity to establish full-fledged Teen Centers, Crismas said they will initially be allowed to set up a Teen Center Desk.
“In the event nga ang usa ka barangay dili capable in putting up Teen Centers, atoa silang gitagaan og leeway to have Teen Center Desk para ang atoang mga kabatan-onan, naa gyud silay physical address,” he said.
He added that the initiative aims to make youth support services more visible and accessible.
“Instead nga ang ilang statement, ‘Muadto ko sa barangay kay mangayo ko og tabang,’ ang ilang statement na karon, ‘Muadto ko sa barangay kay naay Teen Center didto nga mutabang sa amoang panginahanglanon.’ So, ingon ana ang gusto nato nga mahitabo sa matag barangay,” Crismas said.
Crismas also clarified that the proposed Teen Centers will complement, rather than duplicate, the functions of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC).
He explained that while the BCPC primarily serves children aged 17 and below, the Teen Centers will cater to young people aged 15 to 30, with programs tailored to the mandates of the Sangguniang Kabataan and the specific developmental needs of the city’s youth.of the SK.
