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Department of Health-Calabarzon, Department of Education and local governments launch "TEENdig Kabataan" in Antipolo, Rizal on March 20, 2023, to address different health issues faced by teenagers like teen pregnancy, mental health and HIV. Raphael Bosano, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Arra Perez

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — For senior high school student Anicel Martin, her one-year-old baby is a blessing — one she was pregnant with when she was just 17 years old.</p><p>But she was still in tears when she remembered how nervous she was when she was about to tell her parents of her pregnancy.</p><p>&quot;Nangako rin po kasi ako sa Papa ko na tutulong po ako kay Mama balang araw. Kaso lang nabuntis ako... Lakasan po nila iyong loob nila. Huwag po nila ikahiya iyong bata... Ituloy nila iyong pangarap nila para sa kinabukasan ng anak nila,&quot; she told ABS-CBN News.</p><p>(I also promised my father that I would help my mother someday. But then I got pregnant... They [adolescent mothers] should stay strong. They shouldn&#x27;t be ashamed of the child... They should continue pursuing their dreams for the future of their child.)</p><div> <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/13/teen-pregnancies-top-pre-pandemic-levels-popcom-1713" id="isPasted">READ: Teen pregnancies top pre-pandemic levels — Popcom</a></div><p>Her mother, Anita Martin, shared she decided to just accept her daughter&#x27;s young pregnancy instead of getting angry because, she said, there was nothing they can do to reverse the situation.</p><p>&quot;Payo ko lang sa kanya na ayusin niya iyong pamumuhay niya. Huwag niya na munang sundan iyong anak niya... Hanggang kaya ko siyang pag-aralin, pag-aaralin ko siya,&quot; she said.</p><p>(My advice to her is to get her life in order. She shouldn&#x27;t have another child just yet... As long as I can support her education, I will ensure she goes to school.)</p><div><strong>MORE YOUNG TEENS GETTING PREGNANT</strong></div><p>The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) is alarmed by the rising number of adolescent pregnancies, which increased by 10% <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">to 150,138 in 2022</span> from 136,302 recorded in 2021 for those aged 10 to 19 years old, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).</p><p>But &quot;most alarming&quot; for the CPD is the 48% rise in pregnancies among girls aged 10 to 14 years old — from 2,113 in 2020 to 3,135 in 2022.</p><div> <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/08/05/23/population-commission-worried-about-rising-teen-pregnancies-in-ph" id="isPasted">RELATED: Population commission &#x27;worried&#x27; about rising teen pregnancies in PH </a></div><p>While those who are 15 to 65 are considered of working age and capable of supporting the dependent population — those who are younger or older than them. </p><p>&quot;Pero pag maraming nabubuntis, ibig sabihin iyong future nila na makapag-contribute sana in supporting iyong dependent population, affected kasi nga sila mismo kailangan na ng protection and support,&quot; said Mylin Mirasol Quiray, Acting Division Chief of the CPD-Knowledge Management and Communications Division.</p><p>(However, when many become pregnant, it affects their potential to contribute to supporting the dependent population because they themselves need protection and support.)</p><div><strong>LIVING-IN ARRANGEMENTS</strong></div><p>Aside from lack of education and limited knowledge on reproductive health, another contributing factor to the prevalence of teenage pregnancies is youth living with their sexual partners. </p><p>According to <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">the 2022 PSA-National and Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), </span>5.6% of women 15 to 19 years old are married, while 4.7% are in living-in arrangements.</p><p>&quot;In general, union and living-in arrangements cause exposure to sexual activities,&quot; the survey said.</p><p>There were also 22,784 repeat pregnancies — second, third, or fourth children — in 2022.</p><p>And so government agencies and civil society organizations appeal for the passage of the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill.</p><p>This is still pending at the Senate, but the measure&#x27;s author Sen. Risa Hontiveros said she will continue to push for this as a national social emergency.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/05/23/house-oks-adolescent-pregnancy-prevention-act" id="isPasted">READ: House OKs &#x27;Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Act&#x27; </a></div><p>&quot;Bilang may-akda ng bill at bilang chairperson ng Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, patuloy ko po itong itutulak pagbukas ng session sa July. Teen pregnancy has long been a national social emergency. Panahon na para masolusyunan ang epidemyang ito,&quot; Hontiveros said in a statement.</p><p>(As the author of the bill and as the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, I will continue to push for this when the session opens in July. Teen pregnancy has long been a national social emergency. It is time to address this epidemic.)</p><div><strong>CONTINUED COMMUNICATION</strong></div><p>Pending passage of that piece of legislation, communication between children and adults should continue — from homes, schools, to communities.</p><p>Quiray said it is time to stop hiding sexual conversations behind euphemisms.</p><p>&quot;It could start as really teaching our young people &#x27;good touch, bad touch&#x27;, teaching them the right way to name our private parts. Huwag &#x27;bird&#x27;, huwag flower. Tawagin natin siya as it is, like any other body part: like our eyes, our nose, our hands...&quot; </p><div><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">(It could start by really teaching our young people about &#x27;good touch, bad touch&#x27;, and teaching them the correct names for our private parts. Let&#x27;s not call them &#x27;bird&#x27; or &#x27;flower&#x27;. Let&#x27;s call them what they are, just like any other body part: like our eyes, our nose, our hands. )</span></div><p>She said authorities are also reaching out to the youth about exposure to pornography — according to the <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study, 18% of youth are — saying this can translate to action.</span> </p><p>The Department of Education (DepEd) meanwhile continues to teach age-appropriate Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE).</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/03/23/form-of-abuse-many-ph-teen-pregnancies-caused-by-men-aged-21-up" id="isPasted">Form of abuse: Many PH teen pregnancies caused by men aged 21 up </a></div><p>&quot;So pagpasok na pagpasok pa lang nila sa paaralan, nag-uumpisa na ang CSE. Una, kung ano iyong parte ng katawan... lalong-lalo na pag nagbabago ang katawan, and they&#x27;re entering the adolescent period. And hopefully this will provide them with more information on the pros and cons of particular actions,&quot; DepEd Assistant Secretary Dexter Galban said.</p><p>(So as soon as they enter school, CSE starts. First, they learn about the parts of the body, especially as their bodies change and they enter adolescence. Hopefully, this will provide them with more information on the pros and cons of particular actions.)</p><div><strong>&#x27;ProtecTEEN&#x27;</strong></div><p>Adolescent mothers may also consult with their respective local government units (LGUs) on existing programs, especially livelihood, education, and psychosocial support.</p><p>The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently released the guidelines for the national implementation of the Psychosocial Support and Other Interventions for Adolescent Mothers and their Families Project or ProtecTEEN, after its pilot implementation in Antipolo City and Malaybalay City in  Bukidnon.</p><p>&quot;Itong ProtecTEEN ay na naglalayon na magbigay ng isang enabling environment isang supportive home environment at ma-empower din yung mga adolescent mothers... mabigyan sila ng nararapat na impormasyon... ma-capacitate din natin sila,&quot; DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao told ABS-CBN News.</p><p>(This ProtecTEEN program aims to provide an enabling and supportive home environment and to empower adolescent mothers. It seeks to provide them with the necessary information and to build their capacities.)</p><p>She said supportive home environments are important in helping address the social stigma and prejudice that they may face.</p><p>&quot;Kinakailangan nandoon iyong family healing sessions... dapat nasusuportahan din sila ng buong komunidad,&quot; she added.</p><p>(There have to be family healing sessions and they should also have the support of the whole community.) </p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/03/23/popcom-to-focus-on-teen-pregnancies-cites-health-risks" id="isPasted">READ: Popcom to focus on &#x27;teen&#x27; pregnancies, cites health risks</a></div><p>Dumlao stressed how important it is for young mothers to still be able to finish their studies.</p><p>&quot;Bagama&#x27;t may mga bago na silang responsibilidad, mahalaga na matapos nila iyong kanilang pag-aaral para mas lalo pa nilang mapaghandaan iyong iba pang mga responsibilities in the future. And kung kinakailangan naman po na magkaroon sila ng livelihood opportunities or employment opportunities parang ma-adress din iyong kanilang mga economic requirements, this program aims to provide them as well,&quot; she said.</p><p>(Although they have new responsibilities, it&#x27;s important for them to finish their education to better prepare for future responsibilities. If they need livelihood or employment opportunities to address their economic requirements, this program aims to provide them as well.)</p><p>She said DSWD can also refer teenage parents to resources like the Commission on Higher Education that could help them continue their education.  </p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/spotlight/02/27/21/throwback-health-complications-brought-about-by-teenage-pregnancy" id="isPasted">THROWBACK: Health complications brought about by teenage pregnancy</a></div><p>Dumlao said she hopes that many LGUs will adopt and implement the program, which aims to tell adolescent mothers that there is still a bright future ahead of them.</p><p>&quot;We would like to encourage... iyong ating mga partners, stakeholders na magtulong-tulong tayo na i-address iyong mga concerns ng ating mga kabataan, ng ating mga teenage moms. Nang sa gayon, mabigyan natin sila ng tamang proteksyon, ma-improve iyong kanilang psychological well-being, matiyak natin na magiging maganda at maunlad iyong kanilang pamumuhay... and, of course, ma-prevent din natin iyong maulit iyong kanilang pagbubuntis,&quot; Dumlao explained.</p><p>(We would like to encourage our partners and stakeholders to work together to address the concerns of our youth, especially our teenage moms. This way, we can provide them with proper protection, improve their psychological well-being, ensure that they have a good and prosperous life, and, of course, prevent the recurrence of their pregnancies.)</p>

<p>The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) is alarmed by the rising number of adolescent pregnancies, which increased by 10% to 150,138 in 2022 from 136,302 recorded in 2021.</p>

The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) is alarmed by the rising number of adolescent pregnancies, which increased by 10% to 150,138 in 2022 from 136,302 recorded in 2021.

Why gov't agencies are alarmed at rise in early teen pregnancies

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Why gov't agencies are alarmed at rise in early teen pregnancies

Arra Perez,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 18, 2024 09:04 AM PHT

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Updated May 18, 2024 09:10 AM PHT

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