The University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) stressed that comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is crucial for young people.
"Data reveals a heavy reliance on peers and social media for information about sex and reproduction and an increasing share of youth with no one to consult when they have questions about sex," the UPPI said on Friday, 17 January.
"In the age of the internet, where everything — both good and bad — is just a search away, society must take responsibility to ensure that young people have accurate, age-appropriate knowledge to make informed decisions about their sexual health. We can start the discussion at home," it added.
According to the 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study, only one and 10 said they had ever discussed sex at home.
Further, male youth (aged 15 to 24) mostly consult their friends on questions about sex, while female youth mostly consult their mothers.
Meanwhile, majority or 44 percent of female youth and male youth (39 percent) have no material sources or information about sex.
UPPI's statement came after a viral video posted by the Project Dalisay Facebook page under the National Coalition for the Family and the Constitution expressed dismay over the legislative push for the CSE program.
The video thumbed down some provisions of the bill, as well as features of the CSE that may “hypersexualize children at a very early age.”
The provisions include the mandatory nature of the bill for all public and private schools, discussions of early childhood masturbation in ages zero to four, anal and oral sex for ages 16 to 18, and negotiating sexual encounters.
The Department of Education defines CSE as an “age-appropriate, culturally relevant” program aimed at teaching sexuality and relationships by providing learners with “scientifically accurate, realistic, and non-judgmental data.”
Moreover, Education Secretary Sonny Angara assured the public that no “inappropriate concepts" CSE program would be implemented in public schools.
