Rise In Teenage Pregnancy Feared As Schools Reopen, Cases Linked To Sexual Abuse

There is a growing concern that teenage pregnancy cases may experience a resurgence as schools return to full face-to-face classes, according to a statement from a high-ranking official of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD). Deputy Executive Director Lolito Tacardon expressed his concerns in a recorded video interview with The Manila Times, highlighting the potential consequences of increased interaction among adolescents, the reopening of schools, and the easing of curfew restrictions.

While adolescent pregnancy cases witnessed a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is now a heightened risk of a rebound. The National Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 2022 revealed a decrease in cases among individuals aged 15 to 19. The birth rate in this age group was reported at 25 per 1,000 women. However, there was no specific rate provided for girls aged 10 to 14.

Tacardon noted a concerning trend among those aged 10 to 14, citing data from the Civil Registry and vital statistics. The number of cases in this age group increased from approximately 2,000 in 2020 to 2,300 in 2021, based on the latest available figures. Furthermore, there is evidence of incidents of sexual abuse, with a significant proportion of live births to adolescent mothers aged 10 to 14 occurring as a result of relationships with older partners.

Under the prevailing legal framework, especially following the recent policy adjustment that raised the age of sexual consent to 16, these cases of pregnancies involving minors are automatically considered as sexual abuse and can be classified as statutory rape, irrespective of consent. Tacardon emphasized that this troubling trend indicates a serious issue of sexual abuse occurring among adolescent girls.

The CPD had initiated policy interventions to address adolescent pregnancy well before the introduction of House Bill (HB) 8910, also known as the "Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Act," in the House of Representatives. The commission secured Executive Order (EO) 141 from then-President Rodrigo Duterte, designating the issue as a national priority.

EO 141 identified five contributing factors to adolescent pregnancy: the lack of information on sexuality, limited access to reproductive health services, incidents of sexual abuse, socioeconomic factors influencing sexual behavior (such as poverty, lack of education, and unemployment), and the need to channel young people's energy toward more positive and productive activities.

Tacardon emphasized that programs aimed at addressing adolescent pregnancy are integral to the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action, which includes provisions for adolescent health and development. The commission's role involves empowering local government units (LGUs) to design and implement these programs at the community level, as LGUs are at the forefront of addressing this issue and bear the primary responsibility for creating an enabling environment to prevent adolescent pregnancy.

Additionally, Tacardon noted that the commission has a specific mandate under the 2022 General Appropriations Act to develop a social protection program for adolescent mothers and their children, a crucial component of HB 8910. This bill, once enacted into law, will establish an Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Inter-Agency Council responsible for formulating and implementing the prescribed policies and programs. The unanimous approval of this bill by the House of Representatives underscores the commitment to reducing adolescent pregnancy rates in the Philippines, with key figures such as Albay First District Rep. Edcel Lagman serving as principal authors of the legislation.