TABUK CITY, Kalinga (PIA) — The Kalinga provincial government has enacted a comprehensive measure to reduce teenage pregnancy and other risky behaviors among adolescents.
Records show that there were 136 females (aged 15 to 19) gave birth in medical facilities in the province in 2025; 154 in 2024; 156 in 2023; and 196 in 2022.
There was one recorded birth in the 10 to 14-year-old age group in 2025, five in 2024, and two in 2023.
Provincial Ordinance No. 2026-019, also known as the “Protect BATA Kalinga: The Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy and Other Risky Behaviors Ordinance in the Province of Kalinga” seeks to bring down the figures through the institutionalization of social protection programs for adolescents.
Under the measure, the Adolescent Health and Development Council or the Protect BATA Kalinga Council is created to spearhead the formulation and implementation of strategies, programs, and plans to reduce adolescent pregnancies and childbirths.
Culturally-sensitive and age-appropriate Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) will be promoted in schools and among out-of-school youth, aimed at normalizing discussions on sex and gender, adolescent sexuality and reproductive health, and removing stigma in talking about these topics.
Social protection services such as check-ups, family planning counselling and services, PhilHealth coverage, and psychosocial support will be provided to pregnant adolescents and their partners to prevent repeat pregnancies and ensure their well-being as they take on parenting responsibilities.
Access to reproductive health services, such as information on modern family planning methods, will be provided to adolescents with consent from their parents or guardians.
The law also requires community-based centers and barangay health centers to dedicate a day each week to adolescent health and development to encourage young people to access health services and ensure confidentiality and stigma-free provision of services.
Additionally, the law mandates the integration of teen pregnancy prevention measures into the programs of the Sangguniang Kabataan, strengthens social protection mechanisms for adolescents in cases of sexual violence, and implements programs that empower young mothers and parents, as well as initiatives that promote male involvement in the prevention of early and unintended pregnancies.
Digital platforms, including social media, will be leveraged, and media partners will be engaged to disseminate CSE and promote safe behavior among teens.
Provincial Ordinance No. 2026-019 was authored by Board Member Alfredo K. Dangani and was enacted on April 14, 2026. **JDP/IOS-PIA CAR, Kalinga
