Jamayka Rhose Pascual

The full implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) is gaining urgency as the Philippines continues to struggle with a rising adolescent pregnancy rate.

Photo Courtesy of UNFPA.

The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) has repeatedly expressed concerns on the high rate of teenage pregnancies in the country, stating that it is now considered a “national crisis.”

Citing Philippine Statistics Authority data, CPD Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales reported that live births among girls aged 10 to 14 rose from 2,411 in 2019 to 3,343 in 2023, a 6.6% increase.

“This is a critical issue affecting the health and future workforce of our country. Addressing it is essential for realizing the benefits of the demographic dividend and sustaining economic growth,” Bersales emphasized.

In 2022, over 150,000 first-time adolescent pregnancies were recorded, while there are 22,000 recorded repeated pregnancies.

CPD also revealed that, in 2019, 500 Filipino adolescents gave birth every day on average.

CPD has then urged lawmakers to pass Senate Bill No. 1979, the Adolescent Pregnancy Protection Bill, still under review in the Senate.

Under the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill, CSE will be “a compulsory part of education, integrated at all levels with the end goal of normalizing discussions about adolescent sexuality and reproductive health and to remove stigma at all levels.”

According to the 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study, many Filipino youth rely on their friends and social media for sexual health information rather than formal education.

The study also concluded that the majority of the youth do not rely on educational materials on reproductive health.

In response to this growing concern, advocates have pushed for the implementation of CSE in the Philippine curriculum.

CSE aims to provide accurate and age-appropriate education on reproductive health, relationships, and responsible decision-making.

Although DepEd has included CSE in the K-12 curriculum, inconsistent implementation across schools remains an issue, partly due to insufficient training for educators.

Without proper intervention, experts warn that this could lead to more social and economic consequences for young mothers and their families.

However, opposition from conservative groups and religious sectors has slowed down efforts to expand sexuality education in schools.

Groups like the National Coalition for Family and Life (NCFC) argue that CSE undermines traditional family values and promotes premarital sexual activity.

“These teachings risk undermining the innocence of our children and the values we hold dear as a community. It also strips away parental rights, where parents are left helpless without any right to refuse this for their children,” the group stated. 

This is countered by advocates such as the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), which fully supports the implementation of S.B. No. 1979.

CWC cited the rising cases of violence against children, including rape and abuse, as critical reasons for supporting the bill.

“Ayon sa National Economic and Development Authority, ito ay isang national at social emergency. Sumasang-ayon ang CWC, at binibigyang-diin ang aspeto ng child protection sa usaping ito. Ayon sa datos mula sa Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), 72% ng mga nakabuntis sa menor de edad ay mas nakatatandang lalaki, na maaaring nagpapakita ng panlilinlang, pang-aabuso, at pagsasamantala,” the CWC said in a statement.

CPD continues to collaborate with the DepEd and other stakeholders to improve CSE implementation and ensure that it reaches more Filipino students.

The DepEd also reaffirmed its commitment to youth well-being through the CSE.

“Sinisiguro ng Kagawaran na ang aming mga hakbang ay tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng ating mga mag-aaral, lalo na kung paano sila makitungo sa kanilang sarili at sa isa't isa…we took proactive steps to address the alarming rise in teenage pregnancy,” DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara asserted.