THE Commission on Population and Development (CPD) on Saturday urged Congress to pass legislation aimed at curbing the rising number of teenage pregnancies in the country.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the birth rate among girls ages 10 to 14 increased to 8.9 percent in 2024, with a total of 3,612 registered births. Data also showed that of that number, two girls were only 10 years old.
In a statement, CPD Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales said such cases highlight the need for stronger measures to prevent adolescent pregnancies.
”Preventing adolescent pregnancy is about protecting the future of young Filipinas — ensuring that they can become the leaders, professionals and changemakers our nation needs,” Bersales said.
The highest numbers of adolescent births were recorded in Region 4A (Calabarzon), with 474; Region 3 (Central Luzon), 445; National Capital Region, 374; and Region 12 (Soccsksargen), 302. These regions, which are among the most populous in the country, face significant challenges in providing young people with access to age-appropriate information and health services.
”These numbers tell us that the problem is widespread and deeply rooted. Population size partly explains the numbers, but they also show where we must intensify information campaigns and youth-friendly health services,” Bersales said.
As the nation celebrates National Women’s Month, Bersales told Congress it is high time to fast-track and pass the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill, which aims to institutionalize comprehensive reproductive health education and expand adolescent-friendly health services in remote areas.
The commission is also supporting a proposal to create a quintet committee to harmonize the various versions of the bill.
Besides legislative measures, Bersales stressed that preventing adolescent pregnancies starts at home.
”We need parents who can talk openly with their children. We need teachers who are trained and supported. We need communities that choose to protect their young people. It really takes a village to raise a child. We cannot allow more children to lose their childhood because they were forced into motherhood,” Bersales said.
