“Girls should not become mothers yet. Pregnancy at their early age should be avoided, they should be learning while enjoying their childhood,” according to Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando.
The governor underscored this during an event where he led the distribution of financial assistance and awarding of certificates for the provincial government’s “Tulong Pang-Edukasyon para sa Bulakenyo-Campus Tour- Bulacan Polytechnic College scholarship program” held in its Bocaue campus.
He likewise encouraged everyone to help eliminate teenage pregnancy in Bulacan.
“Ito pong problema sa maagang pagbubuntis ng mga batang babae ay matagal ng krisis hindi lang dito, kaya patuloy ang ating kampanya na i-educate sila at ang mga magulang sa masamang epekto nito, kasi mga bata pa ‘yan. Kung tutuusin naglalaro pa lang dapat sila pero ang nangyayari pumapasan na sila ng responsibilidad na hindi pa nila naiintindihan dahil nagiging nanay na sila agad,” Fernando said.
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Philippines recorded 183,000 live births by teenage mothers (aged 10-19) in 2018.
Bulacan data shows that there were 5,129 teenage pregnancies reported in 2020, slightly lower than the 6,123 in 2019. The National Nutrition Council said that early childbearing may be a threat to the country’s economic growth because they are less likely to complete higher education and have lesser ability to earn more income over the course of a lifetime.
On the other hand, the World Health Organization said that this crisis is associated with higher risks of health problems like anemia, sexually transmitted infections, unsafe abortion, post-partum hemorrhage, and mental disorders such as depression.
A study from Save the Children Philippines shows that there is no single cause for the rising rate of teenage pregnancy, but rather a combination of factors ranging from biological, social, and cultural.
These factors include (1) early sexual debut; (2) lack of access to comprehensive sex information and education; (3) Parents, who are identified by adolescents as one of their preferred sources of information on Sexual Reproductive Health information, have limited communication skills; (4) lack of access to family planning services; (5) cultural practices of early union; and (6) lack of adolescent sexuality and reproductive health (ASRH) policies and its full-implementation.
“Mas maraming nagiging biktima nito sa mga mahihirap na lugar at hindi mga nakakapag-aral kaya ito ang pinipilit nating palakasin. Ang edukasyon po sa atin ay libre, kuhanin po natin ang pagkakataon, wala po tayong sinisisi pero itong mga bata, kaya bata kasi hindi pa nila kayang magdesisyon talaga para sa sarili nila, tulungan natin sila, maging available tayo para sa kanila,” Fernando said.
Moreover, the Provincial Health Office-Public Health is encouraging Rural Health Units and District Hospitals to become an Adolescent Friendly Health Facility; train Healthcare Workers in providing Adolescent Friendly Health Services; and conduct Reproductive Health Awareness through PYSPESO’s Responsible Youth Towards a Life ReadY for the Future (RYTLYF), in schools and through social media.
MAIN PHOTO: Governor Daniel Fernando and Bulacan Polytechnic College president Atty. Joey Inocencio lead the distribution of educational assistance during the “Tulong Pang-Edukasyon para sa Bulakenyo-Campus Tour” of the provincial government’s scholarship program held at the BPC-Bocaue Campus. Photo by ELOI SAMONTE