Understanding SB 1979: Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill

In 2022, 3,135 cases of adolescent pregnancies were documented in the Philippines, marking a 35% increase from the 2,320 cases in 2021. Since 2017, teenage pregnancies in the country have been on an upward trend, making the Philippines one of the countries with the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Asia.

Teenage pregnancy has far-reaching consequences, impacting the health, education, and future opportunities of teens. In response, Senate Bill 1979, also known as the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill was filed. However, it remains pending for approval.

Here’s everything parents should know about the SB 1979 or the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill.

What are SB 1979’s goals?

The Bill aims to recognize, promote, and strengthen adolescent’s roles in the country’s development. It also highlights the State’s responsibility to ensure that adolescents have the right environment and support to reach their full potential. Specifically, the Bill aims to:

• Promote and protect adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health rights, including their right to education, freedom of expression, decision-making, and making responsible choices for themselves.
• Provide comprehensive information to help prevent early and unintended pregnancies.
• Encourage adolescent parents to complete their education through comprehensive social protection interventions.

Who are considered adolescents?

SB 1979 defines adolescents as individuals aged 10 to 19 years.

What is Comprehensive Sexuality Education?

Also known as CSE, Comprehensive Sexuality Education refers to the process of acquiring complete, medically-accurate, relevant, age and development-appropriate, and culturally-sensitive information and skills related to human sexuality. This includes understanding the reproductive system, attitudes and beliefs about sex, sexual identity, interpersonal relationships, affection, intimacy, and gender roles.

CSE aims to educate adolescents so they can make informed decisions about sex and sexuality.

Who is responsible for the CSU?

The bill specifies that the Department of Education (DepEd) will collaborate with the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Council and other relevant agencies to develop and promote educational standards, modules, and materials for the CSE. The council, comprising representatives from different sectors and agencies, will be established through this Act, and will also serve as its implementing and oversight body.

The CSE curriculum will be:

• Medically accurate
• Culturally sensitive
• Rights-based
• Inclusive towards LGBTQIA adolescents

What are the topics included in the CSU?

CSE will cover age- and development-appropriate topics including, but not limited to:

• Human sexuality
• Informed consent
• Adolescent reproductive health
• Effective contraceptive use
• Disease prevention
• HIV/AIDS and STIs information
• Hygiene
• Health and nutrition
• Healthy lifestyles and health seeking-behaviors and practices
• Gender sensitivity
• Gender equality and equity
• Teen dating
• Gender-based violence
• Sexual abuse and exploitation
• Peer pressure
• Women’s and children’s rights
• Digital citizenship
• Issues such as pornography

The CSE curriculum will be standardized and implemented in public and private schools and guided by DepEd and international standards. The Bill also includes provisions for out-of-school adolescents and those with special concerns.

In a Facebook post, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara also assured the public that the department would ensure that the CSE did not include anything considered “inappropriate,” stating, “Rest assured, we will not accept inappropriate concepts being taught in our schools. We will abide by what the law states.”

Moreover, Secretary Angara said that any concerns about bills should be discussed with legislators: “Misgivings about related bills would be best shared with our legislators.”

What are the Bill’s provisions for parents and guardians?

SB 1979 includes a community-based program to educate parents and guardians, enabling them to effectively guide adolescents in matters of sexual and reproductive health. Topics for parents include:

• Children’s rights
• Positive discipline
• Responsible parenthood
• Violence against women and children
• Gender-based violence
• Sexual abuse and exploitation
• Dealing with bullying and the possible stigma of being an adolescent parent

Does the Bill allow adolescents access to sexual and reproductive health information and services?

Yes, the Bill states that adolescents can access sexual and reproductive health information and services. However, those below 15 years old must obtain consent from their parents or guardians, unless:

• The adolescent has engaged in sexual activity.
• The adolescent is a victim of sexual abuse.

What support does the bill provide for adolescent parents?

SB 1979 includes comprehensive social protection services provided by the respective LGUs to help adolescent parents prevent repeat pregnancies and ensure their well-being. Services can include the following:

• Maternal health services including pre and postnatal check-ups.
• Postnatal family planning counseling and services for both adolescent parents.
• Access to home-based, online, in-school, or tech-vocational education.
• Personal PhilHealth coverage and mandatory enrollment in social insurance programs like Social Security Services (SSS).
• Training, skills, development, and livelihood programs for adolescent parents’ households.
• Continuing CSE and workshops on couples counseling, parenting, and positive discipline.
• Psychosocial support and mental health services.
• Preferential access to benefits under the Expanded Solo Parent Welfare Act for solo adolescent parents.

What other provisions does the Bill provide for adolescents?

The Bill also includes the following provisions, all aimed at supporting adolescents:

• Protective services in cases of sexual violence: Strengthened social protection mechanisms, including access to legal, medical, and psychosocial services for adolescent mothers whose pregnancies result from sexual abuse or exploitation.
• Support during emergencies: Protective services during humanitarian crises, pandemics, or national emergencies.
• Skilled care for adolescent mothers: Access to skilled care throughout pregnancy, delivery, and the postnatal period, especially for hard-to-reach groups.
• Male involvement: Programs promoting responsible fatherhood, couples counseling, avoiding gender-based violence, shared care work, positive masculinity, and co-parenting strategies.
• Foster care and adoption assistance: Support for adolescents who choose foster care or adoption for their child, facilitated by the DSWD and National Authority on Childcare.
• Residential care facilities: Provision of care for disadvantaged adolescent mothers.
• Integration into local programs: Prevention initiatives incorporated into Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) programs and Local Councils for the Protection of Children (LCPC).

What are the misconceptions about SB 1979?

Does CSE encourage promiscuity?

No. Studies show that CSE leads to delayed sexual initiation, reduced risky behaviors, and increased contraceptive use. UNESCO research confirms that young people equipped with accurate information make safer choices.

Is there proof that the implementation of a CSE minimizes the risk of teen pregnancy?

Countries with CSE report a 50% reduction in adolescent pregnancy rates within five years.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, SB 1979’s author, also addressed misconceptions about the Bill in a recent Facebook Live press conference, including:

Does the Bill teach inappropriate concepts, like masturbation, to kids aged 0 to 4?

Senator Risa reiterated that toddler masturbation nor the teaching of masturbation is not included in any part of the Bill, saying, “Walang anumang probisyon tungkol sa pagtuturo or paghikayat ng masturbation sa mga batang edad 0 to 4 years old o yung magtuturo daw diumano ng ‘bodily pleasure’ sa mga batang 6 to 9 years old o na ituturo din daw sa bata na may ‘sexual rights sila.’

Will the CSE curriculum use foreign standards?

The Bill states that the DepEd, the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Council, and other relevant agencies will collaborate to develop the CSE, with the utmost consideration of social, religious, and economic factors. Senator Risa also addressed this, saying “Hinding-hindi ginamit dito sa Pilipinas yung pinipilit nilang ‘Standards for Sexuality Education in Europe.’ Hindi din po ito ang reference sa Comprehensive Sexual Education, kundi ang Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law na matagal nang naipasa, kaya makakasiguro tayo na sang-ayon ito sa ating Konstitusyon. Wala ring sinasabi ang Bill na kailangan sundin ang mga patakaran sa ibang bansa.”

Will the Bill allow sexually active adolescents to be emancipated from their parents?

The Bill has no provisions that states adolescents are legally emancipated from their parents once they are sexually active. “Isa pang fake news na kung ang bata ay sexually active, ‘hindi na daw pwedeng sabihan ng mga magulang.’ Kung saan nila nahugot yan, hindi ko alam. Dahil walang batas o anumang polisiya sa Pilipinas ang magtatangkang magbawal sa mga magulang na gumabay sa ating mga anak.”

However, the Bill does allow sexually active adolescents, particularly victims of abuse, to access necessary reproductive health services.

The Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2023 (SB 1979) is a critical step toward addressing the adolescent pregnancy crisis in the Philippines. By promoting education, access to health services, and support systems for parents and communities, the bill aims to create a healthier and more informed generation.

Read here to learn what a teen mom had to endure to finish her degree.