Alarm sounded over rising numbers of teenage pregnancy

CHEERS TO the news organizations that went beyond reporting recent statistics on teenage pregnancy in the Philippines, with reports that reopened much needed discussion of this issue. 

The latest figures show that almost 139,000 girls from ages 10 to 19 are already mothers.

Alarming data from the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in February showed the rising numbers of pregnancies and live births among younger mothers from ages 10 to 14; along with the decline of pregnancies among older mothers in the 15 to 19 age bracket. 

While some reports simply cited the numbers, accounts from GMA News Online, ABS-CBN Online, TV Patrol and Frontline Pilipinas Weekend published from February 14 to 19added further insight. Citing CPD officials themselves, all four reports included clips of interviews from either Lisa Bersales, executive director of CPD, or Mylin Mirasol, chief of CPD’s information division. Both said that amid the sexual information provided by social media, parents still bear the responsibility of guiding their teenaged offspring about their responsibilities regarding sexual activity and sexual consent. They also advised that parents should help their children focus on their goals, dreams and aspirations, avoiding unnecessary and destructive activities. 

One Balita Pilipinas’ interview with Mirasol on February 19 surfaced the necessary policies set to address teenage pregnancy. She identified the 2021 Executive Order (EO) 141 that recognizes the issue as an urgent national concern. Mirasol said other policy moves are still being discussed, comprehensive sex education in the curriculum, providing youth and adolescent-friendly services at the local level, and strengthening the prevention of sexual abuse and violence. She said that past data had already indicated the alarming fact that fathers of teenage mothers are usually significantly older than them – a development that calls for stronger measures to ensure social protection for the youth.

Mirasol discussed the limited mandate of CPD, given the autonomy of local governments. The CPD can only advocate on policy, noting that a seal of good governance from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) signals compliance with EO 141. She added that CPD is pushing for a Population and Development Bill and the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill, which are already in different stages of discussion in the legislative.

The government, the public and the media must understand that the issue of rising teenage pregnancy involves several agencies and institutions working together. The listing of numbers is only one part of this multi-layered problem. The emphasis on the numbers may tend to put the blame on teenagers and technology. 

Media reports on the issue are welcome and should be sustained. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, teenagers should hear as many voices as possible in the discussion of the problem that affects their present welfare and their future.