Sen. Risa Hontiveros (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Population and Development (PopCom) lauded on Thursday Senator Risa Hontiveros’ sponsorship speech on preventing teen pregnancies, calling it “a progressive step forward in tackling a nat’l social emergency.”
Hontiveros sponsored Senate Bill (SB) No. 1979 or the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancies Bill, wherein she appealed to government agencies to implement ways of addressing the issue.
“PopCom is strongly backing the senator’s call on relevant agencies to finally implement proposed measures, such as the inclusion of age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education curriculum in all schools nationwide,” said the commission in a statement.
If passed into law, SB 1979 will further boost the implementation of the Reproductive Health Law, among other related legislations, and will institutionalize Executive Order 141, which commands a whole-of-government approach in prioritizing measures to respond to the causes of teenage pregnancies.
Furthermore, the bill will also enhance the Social Protection Program for Adolescent Mothers and their Children, jointly implemented by PopCom and the Department of Social Welfare and Development in 2021 and 2022.
Citing the National Economic and Development Authority, PopCom said that as much as ₱42 billion became foregone lifetime income as personal and social deprivations will be incalculable.
“We greatly appreciate the tireless and unrelenting efforts of Senator Hontiveros in consistently upholding the importance of the country’s young women, their future, as well as their potential as responsible adults and heads of their families, who will ultimately contribute to a positive socioeconomic outlook for the Filipino nation,” PopCom stated.
The bill’s co-authors were Senators Imee Marcos and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. while Senators Sonny Angara and Sherwin Gatchalian have submitted resolutions associated with the measure. – Denver Godezano, INQUIRER.net trainee
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