Senate urged not to stall Teen Pregnancy Prevention bill

By Marita Moaje, Philippine News Agency

Cases of repeat pregnancies were also recorded showing that in 2022 alone, there were 25,358 second, third, fourth, and even fifth livebirths among girls aged 10-19. (File Photo: Enrique Guzmán Egas/Unsplash)

MANILA – The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) called on the members of the Senate to immediately act on the anti-teen pregnancy measure that would address the alarming issue.

At a media conference in Quezon City on Thursday, CPD Acting Division Chief Mylin Mirasol Quiray said Senate Bill 1979 or the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill is stalled at the Senate despite its counter measure had long been approved by the House of Representatives.

Voting 232-0, the House approved on third and final reading House Bill (HB) 8910, which aims to prevent teenage pregnancies and institutionalize social protection for adolescent parents and their children.

“Every day the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Bill is delayed puts young girls at risk of sexual abuse, infections, high-risk pregnancies, and mental health issues. This not only affects their lives and their children’s futures but also costs the country billions in lost opportunities,” she said in her statement read before the members of the media.

She said the rise in adolescent pregnancies, particularly among 17-year-olds and below, and among very young girls, between 10 and 14, has become very alarming.

Data from the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics showed that live births among minors, aged 10-17 years old increased to 56,574 in 2022 from 50,790 in 2021.

Records also showed that live births among those belonging to the age below sexual consent, which is 10-15 years old, significantly increased from 8,914 births in 2021 to 10,826 in 2022.

“Most alarming is the increase in live births among girls aged 10-14 since 2020, from 2,319 to 3,135 births in 2022.  These are indicative of sexual abuse, as they are already considered as statutory rape as per Republic Act 11648, or an Act promoting stronger protection against rape and sexual exploitation and abuse, increasing the age for determining the commission of statutory rape,” Quiray said.

Cases of repeat pregnancies were also recorded showing that in 2022 alone, there were 25,358 second, third, fourth, and even fifth livebirths among girls aged 10-19.

Meanwhile, the CPD also noted the rise in the number of adolescent fathers, or the “Batang Ama” from 5,054 in 2018 to 8,665 in 2019.

Quiray said that this situation not only represents statistical increases but also highlights profound social injustices as it denies vulnerable girls the chance to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

Following these situations, Quiray underscored the need to pass the bill that ensures the protection of young people from unintended pregnancies and their repercussions are crucial for bolstering the country’s socioeconomic development potential.

“As the primary society duty bearer, the government bears the principal responsibility for creating an enabling environment to provide the necessary support and protection for adolescent’s health and rights,” Quiray said.

And while they are waiting for the enactment of the law, the CPD called on the local government units, including relevant institutions across the country to institute strategies to address the pressing issue of adolescent pregnancy.

The CPD said that this is within the policy framework of Executive Order No. 141 series of 2021 adopting as a national priority the implementation of measures to address the root causes of the rising number of teenage pregnancies, and mobilizing government agencies for the purpose.

“We, as adults, brought them into this world, it is then our responsibility to create an enabling environment for them to nurture their potential and achieve their aspirations.” the CPD said.

No more children having children

The Child Rights Network (CRN) Philippines also joined the call for the passage of the bill.

In a unity statement of 396 civil society organizations and government agencies, the group said that under the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Bill, comprehensive sexuality education would teach children consent and bodily autonomy, and help protect them from sexual abuse.

They added that it would also provide accurate, age and development-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education in schools and communities, helping young boys and girls develop wisdom and steer clear of negative life trajectories.