Zamboanga City, Philippines — Representatives from The Challenge Initiative (TCI)-Philippines, Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), and the William H. Gates Sr. Institute for Population and Reproductive Health convened with the City Leadership Teams (CLTs) last Thursday, January 23, to evaluate the progress of TCI’s implementation in the city.
The meeting, held at a local restaurant, focused on TCI’s contributions to reducing adolescent birth rates (ABR) and increasing the modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (mCPR). These efforts are key to creating a youth-friendly environment while ensuring compliance with the requirements for Project Graduation, set for September 2025.
Leading the discussions were ZFF Associate Tony Tumalon, City Councilor Vino Guingona, City Population Officer Lourdes Francisco, CHO Adolescent Health and Development Program (AHDP) Coordinator Joan Saure, and CHO Family Planning Coordinator Vivian Lubaton, alongside other stakeholders.
Prioritizing Youth Health
The meeting highlighted the significant strides made by Zamboanga City in addressing adolescent reproductive health concerns. Through targeted interventions under TCI, the city aims to empower young individuals with access to modern contraceptive methods and comprehensive health education.
City Population Officer Lourdes Francisco emphasized the importance of sustaining these efforts, saying, “The youth are our future, and ensuring their health and well-being is a shared responsibility. By fostering a supportive environment, we can help them make informed decisions and achieve their aspirations.”
TCI’s multi-stakeholder approach leverages partnerships to build local capacity, implement data-driven strategies, and deliver sustainable reproductive health programs.
Project Graduation: A Milestone Ahead
Project Graduation, scheduled for September 2025, serves as a benchmark for evaluating the city’s ability to independently sustain the gains achieved under TCI. This includes maintaining low ABR, increasing mCPR, and ensuring robust youth-centered health services.
Councilor Vino Guingona highlighted the city government’s commitment to the initiative, noting, “This is not just about achieving numbers but about creating lasting impact in the lives of Zamboanga City’s youth.”
As the discussions concluded, stakeholders reaffirmed their dedication to achieving the goals of the initiative, with plans for intensified community engagement and resource mobilization in the coming months.
A Model for Others
The Zamboanga City experience under TCI serves as a model for other local government units striving to improve reproductive health outcomes and reduce adolescent pregnancies. With continuous collaboration and a shared vision, the city remains on track to achieve its targets and graduate from the program as a beacon of youth-friendly governance.
