Teenage pregnancy could spike amid COVID-19 pandemic, Gatchalian warns

The incidence of teenage pregnancy in the Philippines could rise during the COVID-19 pandemic and drive many young girls out of school, according to Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday.

“Matagal nang hamon sa ating pigilan ang pagdami ng kaso ng maagang pagbubuntis ngunit dahil sa COVID-19, nanganganib na mas dumami pa ang mga kabataang kababaihan na maging batang ina at huminto sa pag-aaral," Gatchalian, chair of the Senate committee on basic education, said in a statement.

“Ngayon natin dapat mas patatagin ang mga programa laban sa maagang pagbubuntis upang hindi mapagkaitan ang ating mga kabataan ng magandang kinabukasan,” he added.

Last February, the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) said the incidence of teenage pregnancy is on the rise among girls aged 10 to 14 in the Philippines. A 63% increase in the number of births delivered by the said age group was observed, comparing data from 2011 and 2018

Acknowledging the POPCOM's warning about unplanned pregnancies amid the lockdown, the senator said teenagers could also be part of this possible "population surge."

He underscored that in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda which occurred in 2013, 23.5% of teenage girls in Eastern Visayas got pregnant. Over 14% had another child the following year.

Gatchalian also cited for example the case in Sierra Leone where adolescent pregnancy spiked by up to 65% during an Ebola outbreak.

With this in mind, he said local government units must beef up their efforts to raise awareness on teenage pregnancy prevention and help the youth avoid dropping out from school.

The senator added he also supports enhancing comprehensive sexuality education for the younger generation. —Dona Magsino/KG, GMA News