Students from different colleges participated in the training.
WMSU Guidance and Counseling OIC-Director, Mrs. Finijoy P. Buenafe (extreme right) with the guests from POPCOM: Retired Executive Director Mr. Tomas M. Osias (center) and POPCOM 9 RD, Mr. Reynaldo O. Wong (left).
POPCOM Information Officer, Ms. Rosalinda Fernando was the resource speaker for the training.
The Guidance and Counseling Center of the Western Mindanao State University took the lead in innovating the mode of disseminating information on sexuality by means of the internet and mobile platform—a first for Zamboanga City.
This program, dubbed as the U4U was held in collaboration with the Commission on Population (POPCOM) and WMSU is the pioneer academic institution in the city to adapt the program, as well as the first ever school in the whole country to conduct the U4U program with college students.
83 peer facilitators and members from different colleges in WMSU participated in this conference called “Training on Adolescent Sexuality and Sexuality Information through Online and Mobile Platform” that was held at the Social Hall of the College of Teacher Education from December 15 to 16, 2014.
Mr. Tomas M. Osias, Retired Executive Director of the Commission on Population attended the historic event with POPCOM 9 Regional Director Mr. Reynaldo O. Wong.
On the other hand, POPCOM’s Information Officer III, Mrs. Rosalinda K. Fernando, was the resource speaker for the training.
U4U (You-for-You) is the Youth Hub Initiative of POPCOM, supported by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). The program is aimed at delivering information to teenagers to prevent teenage pregnancy and reduce the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections via social media platforms like the internet and smart phones.
Through the program’s website (www.u4u.ph) teens can learn about self-identity, friendship, life skills and teen health advocacy. Other platforms that the program utilizes include the social media (Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, etc.), interactive voice response system: an automated mobile service that gives recorded information to teens who send “U4U” text messages and Teen Trail: an educational caravan featuring interactive exhibits, fun workshops, songs and dances that are set up in schools and communities.
(Mandy Dalugdug – PAO, WMSU)