THE NATIONAL debate surrounding the Anti-Teen Pregnancy Bill should not be a cause for division but rather a call for collaboration among our lawmakers, the Church, schools, parents and yes, the Filipino teens who are at the center of it all.
One look at recent statistics is all it takes to realize why back in 2019, the National Economic and Development Authority already considered teenage pregnancy to be a “national and social emergency.” In 2022, there was a 35.13% increase in the total number of adolescent girls aged 15 years old and below who gave birth, or from the 2,320 recorded in 2021 to 3,135 in 2022.
Although the number of registered live births by teenage mothers aged 19 and below decreased from 2017 to 2021 by an annual rate of 8.61%, the trend changed in 2022. The recorded live births in that same age group increased by 10.15% or from 136,3012 in 2021 to 150,138 in 2022. This means that at least 411 children were born to teenage mothers every day, corresponding to the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Southeast Asia. These numbers are truly alarming because they are not just figures; they represent young girls whose futures are often dramatically changed by early motherhood.
Beyond the immediate consequences of pregnancy, teen mothers are also at increased risk for maternal mortality and complications. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, 2,478 women died of maternal causes in 2021, or a maternal mortality rate of 189.21 per 100,000 live births. This is of significant concern because young mothers are less equipped to handle the physical and emotional demands of childbirth.
According to the World Health Organization, teenage mothers face various health risks primarily because their bodies are not yet suitable or ready to carry a child in the womb. They face higher risks of eclampsia, puerperal endometritis, and systemic infections. Similarly, the babies of adolescent mothers face higher risks of low birth weight, preterm birth, and severe neonatal conditions. Aside from these physical consequences, pregnancy during adolescence may also result in mental or psychological health disturbances and social and financial problems that can seriously affect the wellbeing of the adolescent.
Critics of the bill who argue that sexuality education is the sole moral responsibility of parents should acknowledge one sad reality – in many Filipino households, both parents work long hours to provide for their families. Gone are the days when mothers stayed at home, playing an active role in nurturing their children’s emotional and intellectual growth—particularly in conversations about sensitive topics like sexuality. Today, most teenagers grow up in environments where both parents are busy, and even if there is time for a conversation, many topics remain off-limits. Let us face it, in our culture, any discussion about sex and sexuality is often seen as taboo. This silence creates a void, one that is too often filled by misinformation or peer influence rather than informed, healthy guidance.
The role of sexuality education in schools is especially important. The discussion should not be about restricting information but rather providing students with accurate, age-appropriate and culture-sensitive knowledge on reproductive health, consent, and the emotional and physical consequences of sexual activity.
In this context, the Church, schools, and parents must take a proactive role in addressing these issues. Rather than demonizing the bill’s proponents, spreading wrong information about the supposed provision of the bill on masturbation and self-pleasure and downplaying the disturbing data on teen pregnancies and the growing cases of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV among the youth, all the stakeholders need to sit down, talk and work together to find solutions that will empower young people. It is vital that stakeholders reach a common ground on what sexuality education should entail, ensuring it is comprehensive, age-appropriate, respectful of cultural and religious values, and ultimately beneficial for the well-being of the youth.
The fight against teen pregnancy cannot be won in isolation. If the bill’s proponents, the Church, schools, and parents really want to address this national concern, what is preventing them from working together? If their collective efforts are driven by understanding, compassion, and collaboration, then they would surely be able to provide the youth with the tools they need to make informed decisions and build healthier futures.
