Teen pregnancy remains worrisome— Popdev

TEENAGE MOTHERS. (INQUIRER file photo/MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)

MANILA, Philippines—  Teenage pregnancy rates have dropped, but it remains a concern for the Population and Development Commission (Popdev).

The primary concern lies with females aged 15-19, as the 2022 Philippine National Demographic Health Survey indicates.

The survey showed 5,531 girls have experienced giving birth, have experienced pregnancy loss, are currently pregnant, or have been pregnant.

The number represents 5.4 percent of girls between 15 to 19 nationwide.

Nevertheless, the figure is still lower compared to eight percent in 2017 or ten percent in 2013

Aside from this, Popdev executive director Lisa Bersales said the commission is looking at teenage pregnancy trends in girls aged 10 to 14.

“They are still considered ‘children,” she emphasized.

“We need to work more on our teenagers to lessen—if not make zero—pregnancies among them,” she said.

“As we have always maintained – each teenage pregnancy is one too many,” the government official added.

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