RH law implementation pushed to curb teen pregnancy

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) has called for the full implementation of the Reproductive Health Law due to the spike in teenage pregnancies in the country.

“We call for the full implementation of the Reproductive Health Law, particularly the comprehensive sexuality education, to guide our young people to make informed decisions,” PLCPD executive director Rom Dongeto said in a statement yesterday.

According to the latest report released by the Commission on Population (PopCom), almost seven girls aged 14 and younger are giving birth in the country every day.

“This alarming rate would be unchanged and could even increase during the pandemic,” Dongeto said.

PLCPD also pushed for the passage of Senate Bill 1334 or the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill, authored by Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

“If the increase of the teenage pregnancies cases will not be resolved, it will add more burden to our health care system, our economy and, in the long run, our plans for the next generation,” Hontiveros said in a separate statement.

With the enactment of SB 1334, young people, especially women, will have greater access to services and programs to educate and motivate them to pursue safe, progressive and healthy lifestyles, she said.

Rep. Maria Lourdes Acosta-Alba filed a counterpart bill at the House of Representatives.

“Teenage pregnancy takes away the future of our young girls and restricts them to reach their full potential and make decisions that affect their own lives. Moreover, challenges like this are made more stark in times of crisis like the present pandemic,” Acosta-Alba said.

Births among girls aged 15 years old and below went up by seven percent in 2019 compared to the preceding year.