File Type

Project Document

Publication Date

2026

Description

This report presents the findings of an independent formative assessment of the T.E.E.N.Dig Kabataan! Kalusugan ay Pahalagahan Project, an adolescent health initiative of the Department of Health (DOH)–CALABARZON Center for Health Development. The assessment examined the project's relevance, implementation coherence, effectiveness, sustainability, and potential for expansion across the five provinces of CALABARZON. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combined policy and literature reviews, surveys involving 551 respondents, key informant interviews and focus group discussions with 93 participants, observations of 25 school- and community-based T.E.E.N.Dig Centers, and an analysis of adolescent health screening and referral records from 2023 to 2024.

Findings indicate that the project has established accessible and trusted entry points for adolescent health information, psychosocial support, screening, counseling, peer navigation, and referral. Documented screening and referral activities increased substantially, while adolescents and implementers generally expressed positive perceptions of the services. However, the assessment identified persistent challenges involving workforce competencies, confidentiality, accessibility, referral completion, institutional coordination, data management, and service provision for out-of-school youth. The findings emphasize the need to strengthen continuity of care, formalize institutional responsibilities, improve monitoring systems, and ensure sustainable resources for adolescent-responsive services.

The assessment informed the development of the project's Manual of Procedures (MOP), which aims to standardize service delivery, clarify operational responsibilities, strengthen referral and safeguarding mechanisms, and support consistent implementation across participating schools and communities. The report provides evidence-based recommendations for improving adolescent health services and guiding the institutionalization and responsible expansion of the T.E.E.N.Dig model in CALABARZON.

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About the Project

The Social Development Research Center (SDRC) conducted the Formative Assessment of T.E.E.N.Dig Kabataan! Kalusugan ay Pahalagahan Project and Development of Manual of Procedures (MOP) in partnership with the Department of Health–CALABARZON Center for Health Development (DOH-CALABARZON CHD).

The DLSU-SDRC research team was led by Dr. Zaldy C. Collado as Principal Investigator, together with co-investigators Axell M. Alterado, Health Systems Expert; Dr. Czarina Labayo-Prieto, Behavioral Science Expert; and Dr. Anjo Benedict Fabellon, Adolescent Health Expert. Mr. Rodolfo T. Anacan Jr. served as Project Manager.

The T.E.E.N.Dig Kabataan Project was initiated by DOH-CALABARZON CHD in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) to strengthen access to adolescent-friendly health services in schools and communities across Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon. The initiative builds on existing adolescent health programs by establishing accessible service facilities, strengthening referral networks, and promoting peer navigation, health education, psychosocial assessment, counseling, and preventive care.

The formative assessment examined the project's relevance to adolescent health needs, consistency of implementation, effectiveness of service delivery, and prospects for sustainability and expansion. It also supported the participatory development of the Manual of Procedures to guide health workers, school personnel, peer navigators, and other stakeholders in delivering standardized, confidential, inclusive, and adolescent-responsive services.

The resulting report and MOP provide evidence and operational guidance for strengthening coordination among DOH, DepEd, the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), local government units, and participating institutions. These outputs aim to support informed policy and program decisions, improve the quality and continuity of adolescent health services, and contribute to the institutionalization of the T.E.E.N.Dig model in CALABARZON

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