Health and social development experts are sounding the alarm on the growing prevalence of adolescent pregnancies in the Philippines, declaring it a national emergency that demands urgent intervention.
The Forum for Family Planning and Development (The Forum), a nonprofit organization focused on health, population, and economic issues, is calling for the widespread implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) as a key solution to combat the increasing rate of teen pregnancies.
Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), The Forum revealed that one in every 10 pregnancies in the country involves a teenager. More alarming is the rise in pregnancies among girls aged under 15, with 3,343 young girls giving birth 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. Teen pregnancy results in life-threatening complications and poses socioeconomic challenges to their families,” he added.
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL TOLL
The rising number of adolescent pregnancies is not just a public health crisis but also an economic and social issue, according to Dr. Ernesto Pernia, former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and trustee of The Forum.
“The alarming cases of teenage pregnancies are not just statistics—they represent a national social emergency,” Pernia stressed.
“The economic and social costs of early pregnancies are profound, perpetuating cycles of poverty and limiting opportunities for young women,” he added.
Pernia emphasized that CSE is not merely an academic subject but a necessary intervention that equips adolescents with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
In 2019, during his tenure as Socioeconomic Planning Secretary, Pernia declared teen pregnancy a national social emergency and supported legislative measures to address the issue.
Without urgent action, he warned, the country risks compromising years of progress in national development.
EVIDENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS
Former Department of Health Secretary Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan, another trustee of The Forum, reaffirmed that adolescent pregnancy is a serious public health crisis.
“We cannot ignore the reality that lack of proper education and access to reproductive health services leads to poor maternal health outcomes and lost opportunities for young women,” Galvez-Tan said.
He underscored that school-based CSE is an essential, life-saving tool that empowers Filipino youth to take charge of their future.
“A nation that invests in the well-being of its young people invests in a healthier, more prosperous society,” he added.
MISINFORMATION AND RESISTANCE
Despite scientific evidence supporting the benefits of CSE, The Forum warns that misinformation and misleading narratives continue to undermine efforts to implement it in schools.
Social scientist Dr. Corazon Raymundo, president of The Forum and Pasig City Councilor, lamented the persistent opposition to evidence-based sexuality education.
“For decades, data has shown us the urgent need to address adolescent reproductive health,” Raymundo said.
“The challenges of early pregnancy, unprotected sexual activity, and lack of access to proper education continue to threaten the well-being of Filipino youth,” she explained.
She stressed that CSE is not just about providing knowledge—it is about empowerment, health, and securing a better future for young people.
“If we fail to act decisively, we are failing an entire generation,” she warned.
“The time for debate has passed; the time for action is now,” Raymundo declared.
In response to the crisis, The Forum will join fellow advocates in a social mobilization event today, February 5, to rally support for CSE implementation and adolescent reproductive health programs.
The organization is urging policymakers, educators, and communities to stand firm in ensuring that young Filipinos receive the education and support they need to make informed, responsible decisions.
“We must challenge misleading narratives with facts, science, and a shared commitment to protecting our nation’s youth,” The Forum said in a statement.
With adolescent pregnancies on the rise, experts agree that complacency is no longer an option.
By strengthening policies on Comprehensive Sexuality Education, the Philippines can break the cycle of early pregnancy, poverty, and lost opportunities—paving the way for a healthier, more progressive nation.
