A coalition of teachers and parents urged the government to prioritize legislation aimed at preventing adolescent pregnancy, citing a rise in births among Filipino minors.
Spokesperson Maria Zaida Padullo explained that adolescents are bombarded with messages about relationships, bodies, and sex through social media, classmates, online content, and their surroundings.
Drawing on 30 years of teaching experience, Padullo stated that a child becomes pregnant almost every year, underscoring the persistent nature of the problem.
Data from the Commission on Population and Development reported 138,697 mothers aged 10 to 19 in the Philippines, with Calabarzon, Central Luzon, and the National Capital Region accounting for the largest shares.
While the number of mothers aged 15 to 19 fell from 138,933 in 2023 to 135,085 in 2024, pregnancies among those 15 and younger rose from 3,343 to 3,612 over the same period.
The group argues that a new law would provide age‑appropriate sex education and access to support services, empowering young people to make informed choices.
Padullo questioned whether adolescents are learning from trusted adults and safe spaces, noting that the answer is often a resounding no.
A study revealed that only one in eight Filipino youths discusses sex at home, while 19% rely on social media as their primary source of information.
Such gaps expose adolescents to misinformation and fake news, increasing the risk of unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and sexual harassment or abuse.
Families and schools must collaborate to equip young people with accurate knowledge and decision‑making skills to protect themselves in an environment saturated with unfiltered information.
