City of San Fernando, Pampanga—The latest 2023 Civil Registry and Vital Statistics (CRVS) data by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reveals a significant decline in teenage pregnancy cases in the country, dropping to 5.24% or 142,276 from 150,138 in 2022, while births among adolescent girls ages 10-14 increased from 3,135 in 2022 to 3,343 or 6.63% in 2023.
Central Luzon recorded a notable decrease of 9.73% or 15,442 from 17,107 in the previous CRVS (2022). Despite the decline in the overall trend, Region III remains second in rank among all regions with the highest cases of teenage pregnancy in the country, with an uptick of 3.18% or 422 cases among very young adolescents (VYA) aged 14 and below getting pregnant.
In a statement, Regional Director Lourdes P. Nacionales said that the declining trend of teenage pregnancy cases both in the country and the region reflects the collective efforts of the national and local governments together with stakeholders and other civil In a statement, Regional Director Lourdes P. Nacionales said that the declining trend of teenage pregnancy cases both in the country and the region reflects the collective efforts of the national and local governments together with stakeholders and other civil society organizations in raising awareness and promoting adolescent sexual and reproductive health education for adolescents.
Among the seven provinces in Central Luzon, the Province of Pampanga (3,330) hits the first rank accumulating 3,886 cases including the Highly Urbanized City of Angeles with 556, followed by the Province of Bulacan with 3,850. Nueva Ecija remains on the third rank recording 3, 214 cases. The Province of Tarlac recorded 1,594 cases surpassing the Province of Bataan with 1,248. The Province of Zambales (1,023) recorded 1,207 cases including the Highly Urbanized City of Olongapo (184). Aurora is the only province with increased teenage pregnancy cases with a total of 443.
While RD Nacionales acknowledges the overall results as notable, she expressed concern about the increasing pregnancy trend among young girls aged 14 and below. “The numbers are alarming and demand urgent attention,” she said. She further emphasizes that pregnancy at such a young age poses significant health risks to both the mother and the child.
Data from CRVS 2023 shows that Central Luzon is second in rank among all regions with high cases of very young girls getting pregnant. As one of the stakeholders of the Adolescent Health and Development Program, the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) notes the profound social and
economic consequences that young girls may face including limited educational and professional opportunities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
According to RD Nacionales, the trend underscores the urgent need to address underlying factors such as lack of access to age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality and reproductive health education, poverty, child abuse, and exploitation.
CPD Region III continues its commitment to strengthening partnerships and developing more strategies, policies, and programs aimed at curtailing teenage pregnancy cases in the region. “It is crucial to implement evidence-based programs that provide accurate information about adolescent sexuality, healthy relationships, and reproductive rights,” Nacionales said. Moreover, she emphasizes the importance of destigmatizing discussions about teenage pregnancy and fostering supportive environments where adolescents feel empowered to seek help and make informed and responsible decisions about their sexuality.
In the region, several factors are at play in the prevalence of teenage pregnancy cases such as drastic changes brought by information and communication technology, poverty, lack of education, and lack of access to reproductive health information and services.
Some of the region’s ongoing initiatives include a partnership with DepEd to strengthen the implementation of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education, the adoption of The Challenge Initiative for Adolescent Youth Friendly Cities, the Special Protection Program for Adolescent Mothers and their Children (SPPAMC), a partnership with DOH to establish Adolescent Friendly Health Facilities (AFHF), and the establishment of Information and Service Delivery Network (ISDN) Teen Centers. Moreover, CPD in partnership with local government units (LGUs) is reaching out to adolescents and young people to conduct a series of values-laden and culture-sensitive orientations and seminars, to make them aware of the consequences of risk-taking behavior, particularly pre-marital sex and other irresponsible behavior.
“We are steadfast in our commitment to implementing a holistic and sustainable approach with local government units, and partner agencies. Our primary objective is to prevent the increasing incidence of teenage pregnancies. Collective action is key to ensuring our teens’ well-being and a safer future in Central Luzon, “ Nacionales said.