Popcom alarmed over increase in adolescent pregnancies in PH | ABS-CBN
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Popcom alarmed over increase in adolescent pregnancies in PH
Popcom alarmed over increase in adolescent pregnancies in PH
MANILA — The Commission on Population and Development (Popcom) on Monday said it is "alarmed" over the increase of adolescent pregnancies in the Philippines, as the country lists thousands of "repeat pregnancies" among minors.
MANILA — The Commission on Population and Development (Popcom) on Monday said it is "alarmed" over the increase of adolescent pregnancies in the Philippines, as the country lists thousands of "repeat pregnancies" among minors.
While there are "more than 150,000" first-time adolescent pregnancies recorded in 2022, there are 22,000 other adolescents who became pregnant again after the pandemic, said Mylin Mirasol Quiray, acting division chief of Popcom's Knowledge Management and Communications Division.
While there are "more than 150,000" first-time adolescent pregnancies recorded in 2022, there are 22,000 other adolescents who became pregnant again after the pandemic, said Mylin Mirasol Quiray, acting division chief of Popcom's Knowledge Management and Communications Division.
"Na-alarm kami ngayon… kasi more than 22,000 yung repeat pregnancy ibig sabihin nabuntis na second, third at fourth time,” she told state television PTV.
"Na-alarm kami ngayon… kasi more than 22,000 yung repeat pregnancy ibig sabihin nabuntis na second, third at fourth time,” she told state television PTV.
“We are calling for the passage of the Adolescent Pregnancy Protection bill which is in the Senate right now… Maisama na rin siya mismo sa [State of the Nation Address] para mas matindi yung ngipin at yung call,” she added.
“We are calling for the passage of the Adolescent Pregnancy Protection bill which is in the Senate right now… Maisama na rin siya mismo sa [State of the Nation Address] para mas matindi yung ngipin at yung call,” she added.
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(We are alarmed right now because there are more than 22,000 repeat pregnancies, meaning those who gave birth for the second, third or fourth time. We are calling for the passage of the Adolescent Pregnancy Protection bill, which is in the Senate right now. We hope this can also be mentioned in the State of the Nation Address to give the call more teeth and urgency.)
(We are alarmed right now because there are more than 22,000 repeat pregnancies, meaning those who gave birth for the second, third or fourth time. We are calling for the passage of the Adolescent Pregnancy Protection bill, which is in the Senate right now. We hope this can also be mentioned in the State of the Nation Address to give the call more teeth and urgency.)
'GROOMING INVOLVED'
While the commission sees a lot of 14-year-old mothers, there is a case of a girl who gave birth at 9 years old, she said.
While the commission sees a lot of 14-year-old mothers, there is a case of a girl who gave birth at 9 years old, she said.
“Ang mga nakakabuntis [ay] mga senior citizens so there is some grooming involved,” she said.
“Ang mga nakakabuntis [ay] mga senior citizens so there is some grooming involved,” she said.
“There is unequal power relations kasi kapag ang karelasyon mo ay mas matanda sa iyo, mas madalas nasusunod iyon
“There is unequal power relations kasi kapag ang karelasyon mo ay mas matanda sa iyo, mas madalas nasusunod iyon
(Those who get them pregnant are senior citizens so there is some grooming involved. There is unequal power relations when your partner is older because often times the older ones dominate the relationship.)
(Those who get them pregnant are senior citizens so there is some grooming involved. There is unequal power relations when your partner is older because often times the older ones dominate the relationship.)
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The Popcom official also urged local government units to establish their own programs to protect adolescents from early pregnancies.
The Popcom official also urged local government units to establish their own programs to protect adolescents from early pregnancies.
“Kayo ay magde-design ng programa sa inyong level,” she said.
“Kayo ay magde-design ng programa sa inyong level,” she said.
“Magbigay kayo ng conditional cash transfer, social assistance, labor market interventions para mapanatili yung proteksyon nila at hindi sila mabuntis muli at bigyan talaga ng budget ang adolescent pregnancy prevention,” she added.
“Magbigay kayo ng conditional cash transfer, social assistance, labor market interventions para mapanatili yung proteksyon nila at hindi sila mabuntis muli at bigyan talaga ng budget ang adolescent pregnancy prevention,” she added.
(You will design programs in your level. Give out conditional cash transfers, social assistance, labor market interventions to keep them protected from being impregnated again, and there should really be funding for adolescent pregnancy prevention.)
(You will design programs in your level. Give out conditional cash transfers, social assistance, labor market interventions to keep them protected from being impregnated again, and there should really be funding for adolescent pregnancy prevention.)
The Popcom attributed the rise in repeat pregnancies among adolescents in the country to cultural factors, such as living-in arrangements between couples once the baby is born.
The Popcom attributed the rise in repeat pregnancies among adolescents in the country to cultural factors, such as living-in arrangements between couples once the baby is born.
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According to the 2022 PSA-National and Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), 5.6% of women 15 to 19 years old are married, while 4.7% are in living-in arrangements.
According to the 2022 PSA-National and Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), 5.6% of women 15 to 19 years old are married, while 4.7% are in living-in arrangements.
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