Adolescent pregnancy has been tagged as a national and social emergency in 2021. 

This came after a significant increase in the number of adolescents who are compelled to navigate the path of early parenthood due to unintended pregnancy. 

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) revealed that the number of adolescent mothers aged 10 to 19 years rose from 136,302 in 2021 to 150,138 in 2022. 

In the same period, the number of adolescent mothers in the age bracket of 15 to 19 years also posed an increase from 133,982 to 147,003. 

The most alarming trend is the increase in the total number of families led by adolescents aged 10 to 14 years. There were 2,320 reported cases of adolescent pregnancy in the said bracket in 2021, which significantly grew to 3,135 in 2022. 

These numbers strongly suggest the need to establish critical discussions on responsible sexuality, particularly in Metro Manila. 

Based on the 2015 and 2020 population censuses of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), adolescents comprise 17 percent of the total population of the National Capital Region (NCR). 

The city of Navotas, in particular, shares a substantial proportion of adolescent pregnancy in the region from 2019 to 2022 among the other cities. 

CPD-NCR Population Program Officer Dominie Busacay cited that in 2023, Navotas recorded the youngest case of adolescent pregnancy in the city, which was reportedly a Grade 4 student. 

Complex reality 

“Now I know that some of the kids are getting pregnant at a really young age,” said 12-year-old Kylle Fontillas. 

Fontillas is a student at Tanza National High School (TzNHS). He is one of the participants in the Youth Empowerment Series (YES) facilitated by the Philippine Information Agency-NCR. 

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The program essentially tapped on the trends in the reproductive scene among Filipino adolescents to depict the complex reality of adolescent pregnancy and how it can be prevented through informed decision-making. 

“It’s high time na dapat pag-usapan na po natin ngayon bilang mga kabataan. Actually, malaki po ang inyong magagampanang role para mabawasan natin ang usapin ng maagang pagbubuntis,” Busacay stressed. 

(It’s high time for you to discuss this at your age. Actually, you have a vital role in lessening the instances of early pregnancy.) 

Leading cause 

Sex education is still considered taboo in many societies, including the Philippines. As a predominantly Catholic nation, conversations about sex are mostly not welcomed in Filipino homes.  

As a result, the stigma and shame around the spectrum of sexuality continue to increase, which ultimately leads to a higher risk of unplanned pregnancy. 

“The lack of knowledge and understanding of adolescent sexuality is brought about by the fear and stigma of discussing sexuality-related matters within the family,” said Busacay. 

Some adolescents who embark on early parenthood due to unintended pregnancy are compelled to put their education on hold to prioritize child-rearing. Oftentimes, adolescent parents are forced to completely drop out of school due to financial constraints. 

By establishing a safe space in the household, not only can the economic cost of adolescent pregnancy be prevented. The increase in open parent-child communication can also help encourage adolescents to exercise bodily autonomy, build their self-worth, and reduce their likelihood of engaging in sexual activity because of the knowledge to make informed choices. 

Interventions

The CPD extends various population development services that are aimed at promoting and enhancing the capacities of individuals to pursue their personal development goals within the demands of responsible sexuality. 

Under the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action 2023 - 2028, the CPD aims to further improve the state of adolescent health in the country by facilitating the access of adolescents to adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) services. 

This will be primarily done through strengthening the implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) among student learners in basic education. The CPD is also looking into the possibility of adopting a national policy on the prevention of adolescent pregnancy to support this initiative. 

At present, the CPD-NCR is conducting the Advance Adolescent Health and Development Program (AHDP) in the form of seminars and online learning sessions among adolescents from different cities. 

On January 31, the newly elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials in Muntinlupa City were able to participate in this program. As youth leaders, they learned the key framework and strategies of the AHDP that can be integrated into the youth development plan in their respective barangays. 

“Ang SK Cupang ay nagpapasalamat sa mga ganitong oportunidad at talakayan upang palawakin ang kaalaman ng bawat isa pa tungkol sa mas lumalala at nakakaalarmang mga isyung panlipunan,” said the youth council. 

(SK Cupang extends our gratitude to this opportunity and discussion which sought to broaden the knowledge of one another in terms of the continuously increasing and alarming social issues.)

Among the key action points of the AHDP are the health promotion and behavior change for adolescents, transformation of adolescent-friendly health care centers, and elevation of adolescents’ participation in governance and policy decisions. 

Adolescence is a formative stage where individuals learn to make independent choices on their own. Education is an essential component of an informed decision. By equipping the adolescent population with knowledge about their sexuality, they are not only increasing their capacity to exercise reason but also the potential to achieve their aspirations. (JMP/PIA-NCR)