TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte – The GlobalCare Korea International Cooperation Agency (GlobalCare KOICA), recognizes the Eastern Visayas State University-Carigara Campus (EVSU-CC) for its crucial role as partner and for its support in implementing the Adolescent Sex and Reproductive Health Promotion Project in Leyte during a grand culmination activity held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at the Hotel de Fides in Tacloban City.

The event, which celebrated the significant achievements of the partnership, was held under the theme: “Celebrating Milestones, Strengthening Commitments.”

Milestones in Youth Health Advocacy

The culmination activity marked the successful completion of the collaborative project, which aimed to address the rising concerns of adolescent pregnancy and reproductive health challenges among the youth in Leyte province. EVSU-CC was lauded for its proactive and effective implementation of the program, particularly its initiatives to integrate comprehensive sexuality education and provide youth-friendly health services on campus and in surrounding communities.

Representatives from GlobalCare Koica commended EVSU-CC for its dedication to the project’s goals, noting that the university’s commitment was instrumental in achieving measurable positive outcomes in adolescent health literacy and access to necessary services.

“The success we celebrate today is a testament to the strong partnership between international aid, local institutions like EVSU-CC, and the unwavering commitment of the youth leaders themselves,” said a representative from GlobalCare Koica during the ceremony. “EVSU-CC has served as a beacon for how academic institutions can be powerful drivers of public health and social change.”

Strengthening Future Commitments

The theme, “Celebrating Milestones, Strengthening Commitments,” underscored the partners’ dedication to sustaining the momentum generated by the project. The program’s accomplishments include capacity building for local health workers, the development of peer-education programs, and the establishment of youth-friendly spaces for counseling and information dissemination.

Key highlights of the ceremony included the presentation of plaques of appreciation to EVSU-CC represented by the EVSU-CC Campus Director Renato E. Martija, acknowledging their collaborative spirit. Discussions were also held on institutionalizing the project’s best practices within the university and extending its reach to more vulnerable communities in Leyte.

The partnership between GlobalCare KOICA and EVSU-CC was cemented, with both organizations pledging to sustain advocacy for adolescent health and rights beyond the project’s official wrap-up.