News
CPD flags rising pregnancy among young girls; demands urgent action
By Marita Moaje, Philippine News Agency
Citing Philippine Statistics Authority data, Bersales noted that live births among girls aged 10 to 14 rose from 2,411 in 2019 to 3,343 in 2023, a 6.
6 percent increase. (File Photo: Enrique Guzmán Egas/Unsplash)
MANILA – The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) has sounded the alarm over the rising incidence of adolescent pregnancies, particularly those under 15 years old.
In a news release on Wednesday, CPD Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales said the alarming trend demands immediate action, highlighting the need for comprehensive, age-sensitive sexuality education to address the issue.
“Our emphasis is on protection from abuse and equipping adolescents with life skills to make informed decisions,” she said.
Citing Philippine Statistics Authority data, Bersales noted that live births among girls aged 10 to 14 rose from 2,411 in 2019 to 3,343 in 2023, a 6.6 percent increase.
More troubling, she added, 38 girls under 15 experienced multiple pregnancies in 2023, and 17 women under 20 had given birth five or more times.
The issue is particularly acute in high-population regions such as Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon).
Bersales urged swift legislative action, calling on the Senate to pass the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill (Senate Bill 1979), currently under interpellation.
“This is a critical issue affecting the health and future workforce of our country. Addressing it is essential for realizing the benefits of the demographic dividend and sustaining economic growth,” Bersales emphasized.
