The Department of Social Welfare and Development has committed to intensifying the implementation of its ProtecTEEN program to support adolescent mothers and help prevent repeat teenage pregnancies amid rising cases among young adolescents in Western Visayas.
The Commission on Population and Development in Region 6 recently raised concern over the increasing number of pregnancies among children aged 10 to 14 in the region.
Citing Philippine Statistics Authority data, the agency said there were 111 live births among girls aged 10 to 14 in 2024, up from 85 recorded in 2019. Births among adolescents aged 15 to 19 also reached 4,756 in 2024.
DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the department has been implementing interventions through ProtecTEEN to help adolescent mothers regain stability, continue their education, protect their health, and build better futures.
“Ang layunin po ng ProtecTEEN ay hindi lamang po pagtugon sa kasalukuyang pangangailangan ng adolescent mothers, kundi ang matulungan din silang makabalik sa pag-aaral, mapangalagaan ang kanilang kalusugan at ang kalusugan ng kanilang mga anak, magkaroon ng mas maayos na kabuhayan, at maiwasang maulit ang maagang pagbubuntis,” Dumlao said Wednesday, July 8.
ProtecTEEN is a 24-month intervention program that provides adolescent mothers with a comprehensive package of services aimed at recovery, empowerment, family support, and reintegration.
The program has five major components: Transformative Support Services, Economic Empowerment Grant, ProtecTEEN Advocacy and Development, Holistic Support for Adolescent-Caring Families, and a Multisectoral Support Pathway that links beneficiaries to government and community-based services.
“Ang ProtecTEEN ay hindi lamang po programa para sa isang indibidwal kundi para sa buong pamilya. Naniniwala po tayo na sa pamamagitan ng sama-samang suporta ng pamilya, komunidad, lokal na pamahalaan, at iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno, mas mabibigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang mga kabataang ina na makapagsimula muli at magkaroon ng mas magandang kinabukasan,” Dumlao said.
Under the Transformative Support Services component, adolescent parents take part in sessions on psychosocial healing, health, education, parenting, and livelihood to promote positive behavioral change throughout the two-year program.
In Western Visayas, DSWD Field Office 6, in partnership with the Iloilo City government, recently conducted an orientation and enrollment activity for livelihood and skills training programs at the Technical Institute of Iloilo City.
The activity, held on June 25, benefited 42 adolescent mother-beneficiaries of the ProtecTEEN program.
Dumlao said the DSWD will continue working with local government units and partner agencies to ensure adolescent mothers receive sustained support that addresses both their immediate needs and long-term development.
“Alinsunod po sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na paigtingin ang pangangalaga sa kapakanan ng bawat batang Pilipino at palakasin ang mga programang nagbibigay ng proteksyon at pagkakataon sa mga vulnerable, patuloy pong palalawakin ng DSWD ang mga intervention tulad ng ProtecTEEN upang mas maraming adolescent mothers ang mabigyan ng pag-asa at pagkakataong makabangon,” Dumlao said.