Daily TribuneUrgent call for action as adolescent births rise; CPD pushes for stronger protection policies
Rising concern: The number of registered live births among adolescent mothers under 15 in the Philippines has steadily increased from 2019 to 2023.
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Civil Registration and Vital Statistics
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Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Civil Registration and Vital Statistics.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has revealed alarming figures on adolescent pregnancies, particularly among girls aged 10 to 14 years old. In 2023, out of more than 3,000 children born to mothers in this age group, only 22 had fathers of the same age—a statistic that underscores serious concerns about child protection and sexual abuse.
According to Dr. Jeepy Perez, former Executive Director of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), the overwhelming majority of these cases involved older men, many in positions of power or economic control. “99% of the births reported had fathers older than 17 years old—older than them,” Perez said, emphasizing that these situations often constitute statutory rape.
The PSA report also noted a 6.6% rise in adolescent mothers under 15, increasing from 2,411 in 2019 to 3,343 in 2023. Additionally, repeat pregnancies remain a major concern, with 38 young girls under 15 experiencing a second pregnancy and 17 women giving birth at least five times before turning 20.
In response, CPD is calling for urgent policy action, including the passage of the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill (Senate Bill 1979) and a stronger push for comprehensive sexuality education (CSE). CPD Undersecretary Lisa Grace S. Bersales stressed that protecting young girls from abuse and equipping them with life skills is crucial for their well-being and the country's economic future.
