Teen pregnancy measure sparks intense debate
THE Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act (Senate Bill 1979) has sparked an intense debate in the Senate after several senators expressed contradictory views on the controversial issue.
Deputy Minority Leader Senator Risa Hontiveros champions the bill as a necessary response to a national crisis insisting that the rise of teenage pregnancy is alarming, critics like Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva and Senate President Francis Chiz Escudero argue that it may undermine cultural and parental values.
As defender of SB 1979, Sen. Hontiveros emphasized the urgency of addressing the country’s teenage pregnancy rates, which remain among the highest in Southeast Asia. She cited the National Economic and Development Authority’s (NEDA) declaration of adolescent pregnancy as a “national and social emergency.”
Hontiveros argued that SB 1979 would not only educate young people about reproductive health but also provide crucial social protection for teenage mothers. “May national emergency na nga, ang inatupag pa nila ay pananakot sa mga Pilipino. Enough is enough. Let us demand real education for our kids,” she said during a recent press conference.
Supporters from the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) and POPCOM stressed that comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), as outlined in the bill, would be age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, and medically accurate. Undersecretary Angelo Tapales highlighted troubling statistics: over 3,300 pregnancies occurred among girls aged 10-14 in 2023 alone, many of which involved abuse. “The cost of inaction is incalculable. We will lose the chance to save this generation from abuse, violence, and neglect,” he warned.
Advocates also pointed to studies showing that parents often struggle to discuss reproductive health with their children. Dr. Jeepy Perez, a former POPCOM official, noted, “Only 12.5% of Filipino youth have ever discussed sexual and reproductive health at home. This bill aims to bridge that gap through education.”
At the Kapihan sa Senado, Senator Joel Villanueva expressed strong reservations about CSE, which he believes could undermine parental authority. “Hindi po puwedeng kukunin mo yung karapatan ko bilang magulang,” he declared, referencing Article 14, Section 2 of the Philippine Constitution, which protects parents’ rights to raise their children.
Sen. Villanueva raised alarm over alleged references to international guidelines promoting concepts like early childhood masturbation and sexual rights for young children. “Sino ang hindi mag-aalala dito?” he asked.
For his part, Senate President Francis Chiz Escudero echoed these concerns, questioning whether the bill aligns with Filipino values.
The Senate Chief argued that the country’s education system should focus on improving students’ competencies in math, science, and literacy rather than introducing sensitive topics. “Should we really prioritize this now, given the state of our education system?” Escudero asked.
Based on reports, some critics also questioned the bill’s reliance on government agencies to implement and monitor CSE.
Both Escudero and Villanueva called for transparency and accountability, fearing that the proposed measures might open the door to inappropriate materials and teachings.
“Dapat klaro kung sino ang magbibigay ng edukasyon na ito at kung paano ito gagawin. Otherwise, this could do more harm than good,” Villanueva argued.
Hontiveros refuted these criticisms, asserting that much of the opposition is rooted in misinformation. “Walang anumang probisyon tungkol sa pagtuturo o paghikayat ng masturbation sa mga batang edad 0 to 4 years old,” she clarified, adding that the bill draws its guidelines from the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law, not international standards.
Hontiveros also dismissed claims that the bill prevents parents from guiding their children. “Absolutely none of those concepts exist in our bill. Let us focus on facts, not fabrications,” she said, challenging the fear-mongering surrounding the measure.
Meanwhile, Undersecretary Tapales explained that the Department of Education (DepEd) and an inter-agency council would oversee the development of CSE curricula, ensuring it is tailored to the Filipino context. “This legislation has built-in safeguards to ensure it is rights-based, age-appropriate, and culturally sensitive,” he said.
While proponents view SB 1979 as a critical child protection measure, Senators Villanueva and Escudero argue for alternative approaches.
Sen.Villanueva suggested a more targeted intervention focused on addressing teenage pregnancy without integrating CSE into all grade levels while Sen Escudero called for prioritizing basic education reforms before tackling issues related to adolescent sexuality.
Sen. Hontiveros, however, maintained that the legislation addresses a pressing crisis that cannot wait. “Teenage pregnancy is not just a statistic; it is a reality affecting thousands of Filipino children. This bill provides both prevention and support measures to give them a fighting chance at a better future,” she said.
