Dagupan City, Pangasinan – THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region, in partnership with Region 1 Medical Center, brought energy and inspiration to Bonuan Boquig National High School last August 29, 2025, with its youth-led campaign: “Take the Safe Sex Pledge!”
The event transformed health advocacy into a celebration of learning, music, and unity. Hundreds of students raised their hands in a symbolic pledge to respect their bodies, make responsible choices, and safeguard their future—joined by teachers, parents, and community leaders who stood in solidarity with them.
“Being young means being full of dreams and opportunities—and we can only reach those dreams if we stay healthy,” said DOH Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco.
““Ang pagkakaroon ng tamang kaalaman sa safe sex ay nagpoprotekta sa atin laban sa HIV, STIs, at hindi planadong pagbubuntis. Ang tunay na lakas ay nasa paggawa ng tamang desisyon.” Protect your dreams. Take the Safe Sex Pledge!”, she encouraged.
The campaign went beyond lectures, offering interactive booths, contests, and open forums where students asked questions and shared their voices in a safe, welcoming space. The highlight: a Safe Sex Pledge Signing Ceremony, where youth united in a collective promise of empowerment and responsibility.
During the event, cash prizes were awarded to winners of an essay-writing competition, recognizing outstanding student advocates who expressed their insights on safe sex and health literacy.
According to the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU), Pangasinan recorded the highest number of HIV cases in Region 1 with 118 cases from January to April 2025—and Dagupan City with 15. These figures underscore the urgency of engaging young people in HIV/STI prevention.
The “Take the Safe Sex Pledge!” campaign is more than just an event—it is a movement to break stigma, prevent teenage pregnancies, and empower the youth to say “YES” to health, informed choices, and a brighter future.
This initiative is part of the DOH’s Adolescent Health and Development Program (AHDP), carried out in partnership with the Dagupan City Health Office and Bonuan Boquig National High School. The AHDP continues to champion programs that help young Filipinos build healthy habits, protect their rights, and make decisions that strengthen—not compromise—their future.
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