Commission on Population and Development Urges Action on Rising Teen Pregnancy Rates

The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) has raised concerns about the increasing number of adolescent pregnancies, especially among girls under 15. CPD Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales highlighted the urgency of the situation in a recent statement, pointing out a 6.6 percent rise in live births among girls aged 10 to 14 from 2019 to 2023. The data, sourced from the Philippine Statistics Authority, also revealed that 38 girls under 15 had multiple pregnancies in 2023, and 17 women under 20 had given birth five or more times during the same year. Bersales stressed the need for immediate action, advocating for comprehensive and age-appropriate sexuality education to empower young people with the knowledge to make informed life choices and protect them from abuse. The issue is most pronounced in densely populated areas like Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and CALABARZON. In response, Bersales called for the swift passage of the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill (Senate Bill 1979) to address this critical issue, which she noted is vital for the health of the nation and its economic future.