CALAMBA CITY (PIA) – The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) in Calabarzon hopes to establish direct collaboration with the academe and other government agencies to develop research-driven strategies aimed at addressing the region’s population challenges.
During a recent meeting with the Regional Population Executive Board (RPEB), CPD Calabarzon Regional Director Marilyn Ogaya emphasized the importance of promoting data-driven policies and strategies to address adolescent pregnancy.
“We have already approached some government agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and many others, and have crafted Memoranda of Agreement with them on the implementation of the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action,” Ogaya explained.
The director highlighted the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) as a potential partner in identifying strategies to address various population issues.
As the government’s primary agency responsible for providing economic policies and other alternatives through in-depth analysis of development issues in the country, Ogaya said NEDA can play a key role in formulating solutions and crafting datasets to address the region’s population concerns, particularly adolescent pregnancy.
“NEDA and other state universities and colleges are instrumental in helping us assess whether our strategies are still suitable for our region’s situation. There are so many teenage mothers, and we need to dig deeper to find out the root cause through research,” Ogaya explained.
Indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities, who have their practices and beliefs related to reproductive health, are among the key sectors that will be tapped to attain inclusive development.
“This has been our concern. We have been pushing for inclusive development but have no data on their population and location, making them a marginalized sector.”
Ogaya said they will also collaborate with the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Social Welfare and Development in creating a database that will be crucial in crafting reproductive health programs for IP communities and marginalized sectors.
In 2023, CPD IV-A recorded 20,208 cases of teenage pregnancies throughout the region, a slight 5 percent decrease from the 21,326 cases recorded in 2022. (PB, PIA4A)
