Teenage pregnancy cases seen to rebound

Introduction

In a recorded video interview with The Manila Times on Thursday, Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Deputy Executive Director Lolito Tacardon expressed concerns that cases of teenage pregnancy could increase with the return to full face-to-face classes. He highlighted the potential factors contributing to this increase, such as more lenient interaction among adolescents, the return of adolescents to schools, and the removal of restrictions like curfews.

Current Situation

Based on the National Demographic and Health survey in 2022, there has been a decline in teenage pregnancy cases among those aged 15 to 19. However, there has been an uptick in cases among girls aged 10 to 14, as reported by the Civil Registry and vital statistics. The latest figures show an increase from nearly 2,000 cases in 2020 to 2,300 cases in 2021.

Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

Tacardon also highlighted incidents of sexual abuse, particularly among adolescent mothers aged 10 to 14. He noted that many of these cases involve partners who are older than the adolescent mothers. He emphasized that under the legal system, these cases can be considered as sexual abuse, regardless of consent, due to the recent policy that increased the age of sexual consent to 16. This indicates the presence of sexual abuses among adolescent girls.

Policy Interventions

Tacardon mentioned that policy interventions for addressing adolescent pregnancy have been developed prior to the passage of House Bill (HB) 8910, also known as the “Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Act.” The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) secured Executive Order (EO) 141 from former President Rodrigo Duterte, which made the issue a national priority. EO 141 identifies five factors contributing to adolescent pregnancy: lack of information on sexuality, lack of access to reproductive health services, incidents of sexual abuse, socioeconomic factors influencing sexual behavior, and the need for positive and productive activities for young people.

Programs and Actions

Tacardon stated that programs on adolescent pregnancy are part of the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action, specifically focusing on adolescent health and development. The Commission aims to capacitate local government units (LGUs) in developing programs at the local level, as LGUs play a crucial role in providing an enabling environment for young people to prevent adolescent pregnancy. Additionally, the Commission is mandated to develop a social protection program for adolescent mothers and their children, as stated in the 2022 General Appropriations Act and HB 8910.

Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Act

The “Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Act” (HB 8910) was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The bill aims to reduce incidences of pregnancy among adolescents. Once enacted into law, it will establish an Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Inter-Agency Council responsible for formulating and implementing policies and programs related to preventing adolescent pregnancy.

Conclusion

Efforts to address teenage pregnancy must be intensified, especially with the return to full face-to-face classes. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Goal 5 (Gender Equality), emphasize the importance of reducing adolescent pregnancy rates and ensuring the well-being of young people. By implementing comprehensive programs and policies, involving local government units, and providing social protection for adolescent mothers, the Philippines can make significant progress towards achieving these SDGs.