KIDAPAWAN CITY — The Provincial Government of Cotabato continues to advance inclusive and responsive programs aimed at empowering the youth and protecting women across the province.
Through the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), the capitol has been implementing the Peer Support Group for the Youth Program, one of the province’s key initiatives to shape young Cotabateños into responsible and resilient members of society. The program promotes peer-to-peer support, enhances mental health literacy, reduces stigma, and strengthens referral pathways to professional services.
Recognizing its effectiveness, the Makilala Adolescent Teen Center was cited as a “hub for youth-friendly services” that aligns with the goals of the initiative. To ensure its sustained impact, the IPHO, led by Dr. Eva C. Rabaya, conducted an Implementation Review on October 29, 2025, at Eva’s Hotel in Kidapawan City. The activity gathered participants and facilitators, including barangay officials, to discuss challenges, assess progress, and identify areas for improvement before the program’s year-end rollout.
Sangguniang Kabataan Provincial Federation President and Ex-Officio Board Member Karen Michie De Guzman attended the event, reaffirming the provincial government’s commitment to youth welfare and development.
Meanwhile, as part of continuing efforts to provide support and protection to vulnerable sectors, the province also organized the “Women’s Friendly Space Training” from October 28 to 30, 2025, at London Beach Resort in General Santos City.
The training, jointly facilitated by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), and Provincial Governor’s Office–Population, Gender and Development (PGO-POPGAD), aimed to strengthen the capacity of responders, social workers, and community leaders in creating and managing safe spaces for women and girls, particularly during disasters, conflicts, and emergencies.
Participants included selected personnel from the provincial capitol, local government units (LGUs), the Cotabato Provincial Police Office (CPPO-PNP), and the academe. Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office XII served as resource persons, emphasizing the importance of gender-responsive protection and psychosocial support as part of humanitarian response.
Through these initiatives, the Provincial Government of Cotabato continues to uphold its advocacy for an empowered, inclusive, and compassionate province — where every youth and woman is supported, protected, and given the opportunity to thrive.