Education Secretary Angara Addresses Youth Issues, Welcomes Feedback on Sex Education

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Education Secretary Sonny Angara has openly welcomed feedback on the implementation of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and the proposed Senate Bill No. 1979, aimed at preventing adolescent pregnancy. In a recent statement, Angara emphasized his commitment to tackling critical youth issues such as teenage pregnancy, HIV, and gender-based violence. He described CSE as an educational approach that is both age-appropriate and culturally relevant, designed to provide students with accurate and non-judgmental information about sexuality and relationships. Angara acknowledged the concerns raised about the current execution of CSE and the provisions of the bill, promising that the Department of Education (DepEd) is working closely with community organizations and health providers to ensure the effectiveness and cultural sensitivity of its programs. He stressed that DepEd is open to suggestions and detailed feedback, a stance he maintained from his time as a senator to his current role as education secretary. Angara clarified that he did not file the Teenage Pregnancy Bill during his legislative tenure but instead introduced a resolution to create a comprehensive policy to prevent early childbearing. As education chief, he advocates for a balanced approach and a multi-sectoral strategy to address youth challenges, emphasizing that DepEd’s policies are driven by data, particularly concerning the struggles of young people. Angara also highlighted the importance of parental involvement in the welfare of students and reassured the public that no inappropriate concepts would be introduced through the CSE program in public schools, following concerns raised by a viral video on social media.