By Brian Campued
As the Philippines join the global community in celebrating World Population Day this July 11, the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) reaffirmed its commitment to intensify campaigns on sexual rights and reproductive health as it expressed alarm on the rising number of adolescent pregnancies among young Filipino girls.
“Ang nais talaga natin ay ang ating mga young people will live in a just and fair world… meron silang reproductive agency or may rights po sila to exercise their reproductive health,” CPD-Knowledge Management and Communications Division Chief Mylin Mirasol Quiray said in an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon Wednesday.
Quiray added that the CPD is relentless in empowering the youth through accessible reproductive health education as well as for all Filipinos to practice responsible parenthood and family planning.
She cited data from the 2023 Civil Registration and Vital Statistics showing that a total of 3,343 pregnancies were registered among the age group 10–14 years old. The figure was higher than the 3,135 pregnancies recorded in the same age group in 2022.
She added that based on records, the youngest to give birth in the country was a 9-year-old girl from Luzon.
Among the reasons linked to the rise in adolescent pregnancies, according to the CPD, were abuse, easier access to pornographic materials as well as contents from social media, peer pressure, and lack of open communication between parents and children.
“Kulang po ang tamang impormasyon tungkol sa sex at reproductive health ang ating young people,” Quiray noted.
In an interview at Rise and Shine Pilipinas Friday, Quiray also underlined the vital role of parents in educating their children as they should be their children’s primary educators on topics concerning sexual health.
“Factor po talaga (sa teenage pregnancy) na busy ang ating mga parents. Kailangan talaga ‘yong mga magulang natin may time—quality time for their children,” she said.
As the country’s lead organization in population and development for well-planned and empowered Filipino families and communities, the CPD continues to ramp up its efforts to help curb early pregnancies with its “I Choose” campaign.
“Meron tayong website malayaako.ph website [para] sa mga tanong na ‘di matanong-tanong tungkol sa sex. Sa Facebook meron din tayong I Choose or Malaya Akong Maging—so andoon din ‘yong mga questions that young people may have on sex and reproductive health,” Quiray explained.
Through these initiatives on adolescent health and development, the CPD envisions a Philippines where the youth are informed on the choices they can make about their bodies and their future.
“Young people, you have the reproductive agency or meron kayong choice. I-arm ninyo ‘yong sarili niyo, protect yourselves,” Quiray said. (with report from Noel Talacay / PTV News)
-jpv
