CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — The cases of teenage pregnancy notably decreased by 9.73 percent from 17,107 cases in 2022 to 15,442 cases in 2023, according to the latest Civil Registry and Vital Statistics data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Regional Director Lourdes Nacionales attributed the decrease of cases in the region to the collective efforts of the national and local governments, stakeholders, and other civil society organizations in raising awareness and promoting adolescent sexual and reproductive health education.
However, while there is an overall decrease of cases for ages 10 to 19, CPD raises concern due to increasing pregnancy cases among young girls aged 14 and below, making Central Luzon the second region nationwide with the most cases.
“This is alarming because getting pregnant at a very young age poses significant health risks to both the mother and the child. The young girls may also face profound social and economic consequences including limited educational and professional opportunities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality,” she noted.
With this, Nacionales stressed the need to address underlying factors such as lack of access to age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality and reproductive health education, poverty, child abuse, and exploitation.
For its part, CPD continues to strengthen partnerships and develop more strategies, policies, and programs aimed at curtailing teenage pregnancy cases in the region, through the Special Committee on Population and Development.
Among the agency’s ongoing initiatives include a partnership with the Department of Education in the integration of Comprehensive Sexuality Education, the adoption of The Challenge Initiative for Adolescent Youth Friendly Cities, the Special Protection Program for Adolescent Mothers and their Children, a partnership with the Department of Health in the establishment of Adolescent Friendly Health Facilities, and establishment of Information and Service Delivery Network Teen Centers.
It also continues to collaborate with different agencies and local government units to prioritize the implementation of evidence-based interventions that will empower young people with accurate information on their sexual and reproductive health, and to create policies that will help build multi-sectoral strategies to curb the prevalence of teenage pregnancies and foster supportive environments where the young people feel comfortable seeking guidance and support regarding their sexual health.
“We are steadfast in our commitment to implement a holistic and sustainable approach with our partners to prevent the increasing incidence of teenage pregnancies. Collective action is key to ensuring our teens’ well-being and a safer future in Central Luzon, “ Nacionales said.
She also cited the importance of destigmatizing discussions about teenage pregnancy and fostering supportive environments where adolescents feel empowered to seek help and make informed and responsible decisions about their sexuality.
Among the provinces in Central Luzon, Pampanga has the highest case of teenage pregnancy with 3,886; followed by Bulacan – 3,850; Nueva Ecija – 3,214; Tarlac – 1,594; Bataan – 1,284; Zambales – 1,207; and Aurora – 443 cases. (CLJD/MJSC-PIA Region 3, Pampanga)
