Rising teenage pregnancies alarm government

TEENAGE pregnancies are on the rise, and the Commission on Population is expressing alarm over the rate and age of those conceiving.

According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the total data of “adolescent pregnancies,” increased by 10% to 150,138 in 2022 from 136,302 recorded in 2021 for those aged 10 to 19 years old.

But what is alarming for the CPD is the whopping 48% rise in pregnancies among girls that are aged 10 to 14 years old.

This rose from 2,113 in 2020 to 3,135 in 2022.

“Pero pag maraming nabubuntis, ibig sabihin iyong future nila na makapag-contribute sana in supporting iyong dependent population, affected kasi nga sila mismo kailangan na ng protection and support,” Mylin Mirasol Quiray, Acting Division Chief of the CPD-Knowledge Management and Communications Division was quoted by ABS-CBN as saying.

Courtesy: AFP

They noted that the lack of education and limited knowledge on reproductive health is one of the main contributing factors that are prominent with teenage pregnancies.

Added to this is the fact that the youth is living with their sexual partners.
 

The 2022 PSA-National and Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) noted that  5.6% of women 15 to 19 years old are married, while 4.7% are in living-in arrangements.

“In general, union and living-in arrangements cause exposure to sexual activities,” the survey said.

It also said that there are a reported 22,784 repeat pregnancies — second, third, or fourth children — in 2022.

Courtesy: AFP

Presently, the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill is still pending at the Senate.

Quiray said that pending the passage of a legislation, the main priority is having proper communication between children and adults.

It should be done from homes, schools, to communities.

“It could start as really teaching our young people ‘good touch, bad touch’, teaching them the right way to name our private parts. Huwag ‘bird’, huwag flower. Tawagin natin siya as it is, like any other body part: like our eyes, our nose, our hands,” she said.

Likewise authorities are also reaching out to the youth about exposure to pornography — according to the Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study, 18% of youth are — saying this can translate to action. 

Government intervention

The Department of Education (DepEd) has stated that they will continue to teach age-appropriate Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE).

“So pagpasok na pagpasok pa lang nila sa paaralan, nag-uumpisa na ang CSE. Una, kung ano iyong parte ng katawan… lalong-lalo na pag nagbabago ang katawan, and they’re entering the adolescent period. And hopefully this will provide them with more information on the pros and cons of particular actions,” DepEd Assistant Secretary Dexter Galban was also quoted in the ABS-CBN report.

Courtesy: AFP

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) released the guidelines for the national implementation of the Psychosocial Support and Other Interventions for Adolescent Mothers and their Families Project or ProtecTEEN, after its pilot implementation in Antipolo City and Malaybalay City in  Bukidnon.