ZAMBOANGA City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos cited Thursday the urgent need for responsible parenthood amid the rising cases of teenage pregnancy in the city nowadays.

“Our office provides family planning methods, but we do not just give any methods left and right. Responsible parenthood should really come in. There really is a need for parents to guide their children,” Agbulos said.

Agbulos admitted though the cases of teenage pregnancy in Zamboanga City are increasing but not as high as those in other cities like Cebu and Metro Manila.

According to the United Nations Population Fund, among six major economies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies.

“It (Philippines) is the only country where the rate is increasing,” Agbulos disclosed.

A UN study further showed that one in 10 young Filipino women ages 15 to 19 is already a mother, he added. (Bong Garcia)