Amid Valentine’s Day celebrations filled with images of romance and young love, the Philippines is confronting a more complex and troubling reality. While teenage pregnancy rates among older adolescents have declined in recent years, cases involving girls under 15 are rising — a shift that has alarmed policymakers and health experts.
According to reporting by Deutsche Welle, national data show that the percentage of Filipino girls aged 15 to 19 who had begun childbearing dropped from 8.6% in 2017 to 5.4% in 2022. However, births among girls aged 10 to 14 increased from 2,411 in 2019 to 3,343 in 2023. These figures, drawn from data by the Philippine Statistics Authority and cited by the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), reveal a concerning divergence.
For many teenagers, these statistics reflect lived realities. Eman, an 18-year-old father from Laguna province, balances childcare with working at a noodle house. Once hopeful about earning a college diploma, he now prioritizes supporting his eight-month-old daughter. He describes feeling pressure, fear, and uncertainty after becoming a parent while still in school. Although he finished senior high school, he decided not to pursue college, believing his child’s needs must come first.
Seventeen-year-old Jenny from Rizal province also became a young parent, giving birth two months ago. She continues her senior high education through modular learning while caring for her newborn. Despite challenges, including declining grades and financial strain, she remains determined to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. Her story highlights the resilience of many young parents but also underscores the disruptions early pregnancy can bring to education and life plans.
Lisa Grace Bersales, CPD undersecretary and statistician, stresses that there is no contradiction in the data. The decline among 15- to 19-year-olds reflects progress, but the increase among girls below 15 demands urgent attention. Even though teenage births account for only about 2% of total registered births nationwide, Bersales warns that the rise among the youngest age group signals deep vulnerabilities.
Several factors contribute to this trend. Increased exposure to digital media has changed how young people access information about relationships and sexuality. At the same time, cultural taboos often discourage open conversations within families. In some regions, especially rural and geographically isolated areas, access to health services and reproductive information remains limited. Northern Mindanao, for example, has reported some of the highest adolescent pregnancy rates in the country.
Legal constraints also complicate prevention efforts. Under the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, minors generally need parental consent to access modern family planning services, except in specific circumstances. While local government units have established teen centers to provide guidance and health information, questions remain about whether these facilities are fully functional and effectively reaching the most vulnerable adolescents.
Education gaps further deepen the issue. Both Eman and Jenny noted that comprehensive discussions about reproductive health often come too late. Although the Department of Education promotes comprehensive sexuality education, some teachers feel uncomfortable delivering the material due to personal beliefs or cultural sensitivities. Experts argue that better training and community engagement are essential to ensure young people receive accurate, age-appropriate information before they face life-altering consequences.
The rising pregnancies among girls under 15 serve as a reminder that progress in one age group does not automatically protect another. Addressing the issue requires a whole-of-society approach — involving families, schools, local governments, and faith-based organizations — to create supportive environments where young people can make informed decisions about their futures.
