ILOILO CITY — Inadequate sex education is fueling a worrying rise in teenage pregnancies across Western Visayas, according to a warning issued by the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) 6.

Data from CPD 6 shows an alarming 29 percent jump in teenage pregnancies, with 103 cases recorded in 2023, up from 80 cases in 2021. The agency highlighted that the majority of these young mothers are aged 10 to 14.

CPD 6 regional director Harold Alfred Marshall said the lack of proper sex education is a key factor behind the surge.

“Local government units need to update their strategies and interventions to raise awareness and educate young people on sexual health,” Marshall said.

He also pointed to the growing accessibility of social media and pornographic content among minors, urging parents, guardians, and community leaders to closely monitor and guide their children.