BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Commission on Population and Development – Cordillera (PopCom-CAR) aims to focus on Adolescent Health and Development (AHD) program to address cases of teenage pregnancy and reduce adolescent fertility rate in the region.
PopCom-CAR Information Officer Job Manalang said that they plan to harmonize the partnerships with stakeholders in accelerating the AHD initiatives in the region.
“Even if we’re looking at very low rates, gusto natin is zero. Almost walang adolescent pregnancies in the region. And we hope that ‘yung mga young mothers or teenage mothers natin now will not have repeat pregnancies while they are still teenagers,” said Manalang.
He added that they also plan to engage the Sangguniang Kabataan in pushing AHD activities.
Based on the 2020 Field Health Services Information System, the region recorded 2422 adolescent livebirths among 10-19 years old, 46.43 percent higher compared to the 1654 adolescent livebirths recorded in 2019. The province of Benguet has the highest increase in adolescent livebirths with 272.16% or 361 in 2020 from 97 in 2019. young mothers or teenage mothers natin now will not have repeat pregnancies while they are still teenagers,” said Manalang.
He added that they also plan to engage the Sangguniang Kabataan in pushing AHD activities.
Based on the 2020 Field Health Services Information System, the region recorded 2422 adolescent livebirths among 10-19 years old, 46.43 percent higher compared to the 1654 adolescent livebirth recorded in 2019. The province of Benguet has the highest increase in adolescent livebirths with 272.16% or 361 in 2020 from 97 in 2019.
“We’re hoping that ‘yung kinonduct na survey for young adults fertility and sexuality noong 2021 would give us some kind of picture kung bakit nangyari po ito,” Manalang said.
They also aim to decrease fertility rates among women as part of the Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning.
“Ang ideal na sinasabi po natin is 2.1 children per woman. Ang meaning lang po nun is at least, ‘yung mag-asawa na magkakaroon ng anak would be replaced by other two potential workers kaya 2.1. Papalitan mo lang ‘yung nanay at tatay ng two other potential earners,” he explained.
Manalang also underscored the need to involve men in family planning and they target to have half of the married men participate in this endeavor.
These are just among the objectives of the Regional Population and Development Plan of Action 2022-2028 drafted by the PopCom and its LGU partners. The PopCom-CAR earlier spearheaded a workshop to review and update the said plan of action which was participated in by representatives of different government agencies and the private sector or the civil society organizations
PopCom-CAR Regional Director Magdalena Abellera said PopCom USec. Juan Antonio Perez will be coming to Baguio City on June 10 for consultation on the said plan of action.
The RPD-POA 2022-2028 will be consolidated as a National Program of Action to be presented to the new administration.
“Sa lahat dapat ng programs ng ating partners, the population and development should always be highlighted,” Abellera said. **JDP/DEG-PIA CAR
