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The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) emphasized Tuesday, February 17 that education remains a crucial factor in addressing rising cases of teenage and unplanned pregnancies, particularly among girls aged 10 to 14.
Mylin Mirasol Quiray, head of the CPD’s Information and Communication Management Division, cited recent data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showing 138,697 live births among females aged 10 to 19.
Of that figure, 3,560 births were recorded among girls aged 10 to 14 in 2024, higher than the 3,343 cases logged in 2023 — a trend Quiray described as “alarming.”
“So, gusto talaga natin na mayroon talagang link ang education (we really want the education to have a link) because education is always a protective factor against early sexual engagement and early pregnancy and early childbirth,” she said in an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.
Quiray noted that early pregnancies are more prevalent among girls from low-income households, pointing to the connection between poverty, limited educational access and heightened vulnerability.
She stressed the importance of strengthening comprehensive reproductive health education and life skills programs in both schools and communities, enabling young people to make informed choices.
The CPD is coordinating with local government units to expand initiatives such as “Parent-Teen Talk,” which promotes open dialogue between parents and children about sexuality and responsible decision-making. The agency also continues to implement Executive Order No. 141, issued in 2021, which adopts a whole-of-government strategy to prevent adolescent pregnancy.
In addition, the CPD supports the integration of school-based reproductive health education into the curriculum of the Department of Education.
Quiray identified misinformation on social media, insufficient parental guidance and limited access to services as contributing factors to unplanned pregnancies.
She also underscored the need for programs that help young mothers resume schooling and acquire skills to reduce the likelihood of repeat pregnancies and improve long-term opportunities.
Citing research by economist Dr. Alejandro Herrin, Quiray said teenage pregnancy results in an estimated PHP33 billion in annual economic losses, highlighting its impact beyond individual families and into national development.
The CPD called on parents to initiate early, age-appropriate discussions about sexuality, boundaries and responsible behavior, emphasizing that education, accurate information and family involvement are key to protecting Filipino youth.