Philippine Government Vows Action on Rising Teen Pregnancy Rates

The Marcos administration has pledged to tackle the growing issue of teenage pregnancies in the Philippines, according to a statement from Malacañang on Friday. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin emphasized the government’s commitment to reducing the increasing rates of adolescent pregnancies, acknowledging the complexity of the issue which includes a lack of education and negligence among young mothers. Recent data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows a 6.6 percent increase in live births among girls aged 10 to 14, from 2,411 in 2019 to 3,343 in 2023. Additionally, 38 girls under 15 had multiple pregnancies in 2023, and 17 women under 20 had given birth five or more times. Bersamin’s comments came in response to Senator Risa Hontiveros’ introduction of a revised version of Senate Bill 1979, aimed at preventing adolescent pregnancies. The original bill, which President Marcos threatened to veto due to its controversial provisions, included mandatory Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) without parental consent and content deemed inappropriate for young children. The new version of the bill removes references to international standards and focuses on age-appropriate education. President Marcos has yet to comment on the revised bill, stating he will review it before making a decision. Bersamin stressed the importance of fairness in assessing the new proposal, noting that the President should not be expected to react without first reading the updated text.