LAGAWE, Ifugao – Provincial officials here have adopted an integrated and comprehensive reproductive health care plan that deals with adolescents to help them achieve their goals for a better life.
The Teen Pregnancy Reduction Program Ordinance provides an accurate information and education on reproductive health plan and sexuality and comprehensive course of actions to prevent or address issues on teen pregnancies and other risky behaviours among adolescents in the province.
The ordinance also promotes the involvement and participation of different service providers, families, and the community.
For the implementation of the programs provided in the ordinance, P1 million shall be included in the annual budget of the provincial government.
Officials seriously took the persisting concern on teen pregnancies in the province, which has adverse health and social consequences, especially for teenage mothers. From 2014 to 2018, the province recorded 2,611 pregnancies involving girls aged 12 to 19 years old. Forty-four of the pregnancies involved girls below 14 years old while the youngest is 12 recorded in 2014.
More than 500 adolescent girls got pregnant every year and fully delivered their babies during the five year period. The list did not include young girls who got pregnant and terminated their pregnancies and those who delivered their babies outside the province. – Marcelo B. Lihgawon
April 20, 2024
