CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) in Northern Mindanao, together with partner government agencies, launched Project 25@28 on March 13 to address adolescent pregnancy

The program targets young girls and women and aims to reduce adolescent live births in the region by 25% by 2028. It also seeks to prevent repeat pregnancies among adolescent mothers, eliminate births among girls aged 10 to 14, and reduce violence against adolescents.

CPD Regional Director Neil Aldrin G. Omega said the initiative depends on coordination among national and local agencies. “No more children having children,” he said.

Project 25@28 brings together government agencies, local government units, schools, parents, and communities. It uses coordinated strategies in information, service delivery, and youth empowerment to reach young people and provide support.

“This is about protecting dreams. This is about giving young girls the chance to stay in school. This is about helping adolescents build a better future,” Omega said.

Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño, regional director of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev)-10, emphasized that Project 25@28 aims to set clear, measurable goals for the region.

“By strengthening functional information and service delivery networks and establishing community-based teen centers, we will surely provide adolescents access to the needed resources and even guidance,” Cariño said.

Key systems supporting adolescent pregnancy prevention include information and service delivery networks, comprehensive sexuality education, Sangguniang Kabataan-led youth programs, TEEN Centers, the ProtecTEEN Program, Barangay Violence Against Women and Children desks, and strengthened POPDEV and AYSRH data systems.

“We are not just reversing trends. We are safeguarding the future of our youth and building healthier, more inclusive communities in Region 10,” Cariño said. (JMOR/PIA-10)