Officials from the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) and the Commission on Population and Development Region XI (CPD XI) convened online via Zoom on June 29, 2026, for a follow-up coordinative meeting aimed at strengthening collaboration on adolescent reproductive health and teenage pregnancy prevention.

Ms. Jhan Rhea B. Ruiz of CPD XI opened the meeting and welcomed participants from the various USeP offices and delivery units. RD Jeff Y. Fuentes, CPD XI Regional Director, presented demographic findings on teenage pregnancy, He noted a decline in overall cases but highlighted that many recorded cases now involve individuals aged 20–21, underscoring the need to strengthen existing interventions. Ms. Sheryll Jane Fernandez, CPD XI Information Officer, later presented the Sexually Healthy Adolescents and Personally Empowered (SHAPE) Adolescent Modules Toolkit in detail, citing Civil Registration and Vital Statistics data showing 8,647 adolescent births and an 18.3 percent increase in cases over three years, along with findings on limited household discussions of sexual health in the region.

Throughout the exploratory session, USeP representatives—including Dr. Genna J. Carmello, Curriculum and Instruction Office Director; Dr. Roby Pagong, Extension Division Director; Dr. Raquel Almasa, College of Education Dean; Dr. Mildin Retutas, College of Teacher Education and Technology Dean; Dr. Lindy Lulab, Collge of Education OJT Coordinator; Dr. Ruby Serrano, Collge of Education Program Head; and Dr. Marites L. Domingo, Health Service Division Director—engaged in a substantive discussion on the feasibility of embedding the modules into existing curricula. They explored integrating the modules through the National Service Training Program program, and regular GAD retooling while addressing implementation, faculty preparedness, and curriculum alignment. Assoc. Prof. Genesesly R. Tahoy, USeP GAD Director, affirmed that the discussion should continue to focus on pre-service teachers. He agreed that capacity-building through structured training was among the most practical entry points for implementation so that future educators would already possess the knowledge and skills needed to integrate adolescent health and gender concepts into their lesson plans and classroom instruction. Dr. Domingo proposed establishing a Peer Health Educator Network in partnership with the Office of Student Affairs and Services and the Guidance Office, a proposal RD Fuentes welcomed with a commitment of CPD support.

The meeting concluded with an agreement that USeP would review its course syllabi for suitable integration points and convene an internal meeting to formulate recommendations, while CPD XI would provide module copies and extend technical assistance moving forward. Mr. John B. Visillas, Department of Education Region XI Representative, closed the proceedings by thanking both CPD Region XI and USeP for initiating the collaboration and requesting a copy of the agreements reached. As USeP and CPD XI move toward formalizing this partnership, the meeting marks a significant step forward in the university’s continuing commitment to shaping gender-responsive, socially aware educators poised to confront one of the region’s most pressing developmental challenges.