The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) has raised concerns about the increasing number of adolescent pregnancies in the Philippines, particularly among girls under 15.
In a PNA report, CPD Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales called for immediate interventions, emphasizing the need for comprehensive, age-appropriate sexuality education to curb the trend. She underscored the importance of equipping adolescents with life skills and protecting them from abuse.
Citing Philippine Statistics Authority data, Bersales reported that live births among girls aged 10 to 14 increased from 2,411 in 2019 to 3,343 in 2023—a 6.6 percent rise. Disturbingly, 38 girls under 15 experienced multiple pregnancies last year, while 17 women under 20 had given birth five or more times.
High-population areas like Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and CALABARZON have seen the most significant impact.
Bersales urged the Senate to pass the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill (Senate Bill 1979), currently under interpellation. She highlighted the broader implications of the issue, noting its impact on public health, the country’s workforce, and the potential to sustain economic growth.
