By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
A 12-year-old girl has been recorded as the youngest case of teenage pregnancy in Iloilo City in 2024, according to data from the city’s Civil Registry Office.
The girl gave birth in January and is among the 297 minors who experienced early pregnancy last year.
The report showed that 10 of the teenage mothers were 14 years old and below, including the 12-year-old. Meanwhile, 18 were 15 years old, 50 were 16, 59 were 17, 79 were 18, and 81 were 19 years old.
Jaro district recorded the highest number of teenage pregnancy cases with 68, followed by Molo with 56, Arevalo with 53, Mandurriao with 42, and 26 cases each from City Proper, La Paz, and Lapuz.
At the barangay level, Sooc in Arevalo recorded the most cases with 15, followed by Boulevard in Molo with 12. Calaparan and Sto. Niño Sur in Arevalo, as well as North Baluarte in Molo, recorded 11 cases each.
The data also showed that 90 of the teenage mothers are single, while 206 have acknowledged fathers under Republic Act No. 9255, which allows illegitimate children to use their father’s surname. Only one is married.
Despite the high numbers, the 2024 figure is 3.87 percent lower than the 310 cases recorded in 2023. Previous records showed 307 cases in 2022, 318 in 2021, and 354 in 2020, indicating a gradual decline over the years.
Call for Action on Teenage Pregnancy
The city government attributes teenage pregnancy to a lack of sexual health education, poverty, limited access to contraception, and cultural norms that encourage early marriage and childbirth.
Local officials are urging parents to strengthen parental guidance and advocating for more youth-friendly services, including access to contraceptives and comprehensive sexual health education in schools.
The proposed Senate Bill 1979, or the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill, seeks to make comprehensive sexuality education a compulsory part of the school curriculum. The bill aims to provide students with medically accurate and culturally sensitive information on reproductive health, human sexuality, and relationships.
However, the bill has faced opposition from conservative groups and some government officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has labeled certain provisions as “woke” and “abhorrent.” He has warned that he will veto the bill if it retains elements he finds objectionable.
In response, Senator Risa Hontiveros, the bill’s lead author, has amended provisions to reinforce parental authority and remove references to international standards that critics argue could lead to inappropriate content in schools.
Experts Push for Urgent Action
The Forum for Family Planning and Development, an NGO advocating for adolescent reproductive health, has raised concerns about misleading information being spread against Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE).
The group reaffirmed its commitment to supporting government agencies and legislative efforts to ensure that young Filipinos receive life-saving, age-appropriate education on reproductive health.
According to 2023 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, one in every 10 pregnancies in the country occurs among teenagers. The number of girls under 15 giving birth has also increased, with 3,343 cases recorded in 2023 alone.
“As a nation, we should be alarmed,” said Kevin de Vera, director for programs and advocacy of The Forum.
“All teenage pregnancies are high-risk. A teenage girl’s body is not physically ready for pregnancy. It results in life-threatening complications and poses socioeconomic challenges to their families.”
Dr. Ernesto Pernia, former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and a trustee of The Forum, called teenage pregnancies a “national social emergency” that threatens economic progress.
“The economic and social costs of early pregnancies are profound, perpetuating cycles of poverty and limiting opportunities for young women,” Pernia said.
“CSE is not merely an academic subject but a necessary intervention to help Filipino families equip adolescents with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. Without urgent action, we risk compromising years of progress and the future of our young generation.”
Former Health Secretary Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan described adolescent pregnancy as a public health crisis that demands evidence-based solutions.
“School-based CSE is an essential, life-saving tool that empowers our youth to take charge of their future,” he said.
Social scientist Dr. Corazon Raymundo, president of The Forum and Pasig City councilor, emphasized that the time for action is now.
“CSE is not just about knowledge—it is about empowerment, health, and securing a better future for young people,” she said.
“If we fail to act decisively, we are failing an entire generation.”
The Forum called on policymakers, educators, and communities to protect the rights of young people by ensuring they receive proper education and support in making responsible decisions about their reproductive health.
Misleading narratives must be countered with facts, science, and a collective commitment to safeguarding the future of Filipino youth, the group added.