Manila: The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) is calling for urgent, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education as the country faces an alarming surge in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and adolescent pregnancies, particularly among minors.
According to Philippines News Agency, the CPD joined forces with the Department of Health in sounding the alarm over troubling data involving Filipino youth. The CPD's press statement emphasized the systemic gaps in accessing reproductive health education, highlighting the lack of accurate information among young Filipinos about safe sex, HIV prevention, and contraceptive use.
CPD Executive Director Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales stressed the importance of addressing these sexual and reproductive health concerns for the well-being of Filipino youth. She called on educators, institutions, local governments, parents, families, and other stakeholders to join in this critical effort.
Recent data revealed a concerning spike in HIV cases among youths aged 15 to 24, with 56 newly diagnosed cases recorded daily from January to March this year. The youngest reported case involved a 12-year-old from Palawan. Since 2007, HIV transmission has predominantly occurred through males having sex with males (MSM).
Adding to the concern, live births among girls aged 10 to 14 increased from 2,411 in 2019 to 3,343 in 2023, underscoring the growing vulnerability of young Filipinos. The 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS5) confirmed that many Filipino youths lacked reliable information, particularly from social media, about safe sex, HIV prevention, and contraceptive use.
The 2022 Integrated HIV and Behavioral and Serologic Surveillance (IHBSS) Report highlighted low comprehensive knowledge and dangerous misconceptions about HIV. It stated that only 36 percent of MSM correctly answered all five basic HIV questions. Furthermore, more than 45 percent of respondents mistakenly believed that withdrawal before ejaculation reduces HIV risk. Only 56 percent of MSM and 64 percent of transgender women (TGW) were aware of existing HIV treatment.
To mitigate the crisis, the CPD is intensifying efforts under its Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action (2023-2028) and Comprehensive Action Plan for the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy (2025-2028). The CPD also advocated for the swift passage of a national policy on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, wider implementation of the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, and stronger parental involvement in reproductive health education.
Bersales stated, "Investing and ensuring that every youth is protected and their potentials are developed is the key to a progressive family, community, and eventually our country."
