Iloilo city: The Commission on Population and Development in Western Visayas (CPD-6) will shift its campaign to the 10-14 age bracket, seeking to address increasing adolescent pregnancy in this age group. CPD Regional Director for Western Visayas Harold Marshall noted that past efforts focused on the 15-19 age group, where the highest number of adolescent pregnancies was recorded, leading to a gradual decline in incidents within that bracket. However, the agency has observed a troubling rise in cases involving younger adolescents.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marshall emphasized the need for a comprehensive and age-appropriate strategy to combat this issue. During a press conference on Thursday, coinciding with the World Population Day celebration, he stated, "Now we are shifting efforts. We need to come up with a more comprehensive approach, a customized strategy that fits their age group." Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority revealed a significant increase in adolescent live births, rising from 58 in 2020 to 111 in 2024. Factors contributing to this rise include a lack of awareness and limited access to family planning services for minors.
CPD-6 Population Program Officer IV, Roilo Vincent Laguna, highlighted that overall adolescent pregnancy rates in the region are on the decline. In the same press conference, Marshall presented findings from the Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey (YAFS 5) conducted by the University of the Philippines, which ranked Western Visayas second in smoking prevalence among regions, with 15.7 percent, and fifth in alcohol consumption, with 32.1 percent. Additionally, 21.4 percent of youth have contemplated ending their lives.
Despite these challenges, 20 percent of the youth population engage in discussions about sex at home, and 15.4 percent are informed about HIV/AIDS treatment. With 94.3 percent of the youth having access to smartphones, CPD is leveraging technology to connect with this demographic. The AHlam Na! 3.0 application provides age-appropriate and accurate population and development information. "When before, we did the usual symposium, now young people can get information and access to services through their smartphones," Laguna added.
