SINCE most hotels, inns and lodges in the city are expected to be full on February 14, the Department of Health - Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR) has recommended to make contraceptives like condoms readily available.
DOH-CAR assistant regional director Amelita Pangilinan said the agency will not distribute condoms on February due to opposition from the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), however, they said contraceptives should be available.
Health authorities, not only in the region, but all over the country are pushing for the distribution of condoms to schools in a bid to lessen cases of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
The Cordillera region has the highest rate of teen age pregnancy in the country while sexually transmitted diseases like the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) are also increasing.
The health official explained abstinence should be inculcated to the youth because this is the best way to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
Earlier, the Department of Education (DepEd) through Secretary Leonor Briones contradicted condom distribution in schools which was intended by the DOH to help lessen teen age pregnancy among high school students.
In a health survey nationwide, at least three out 10 aged 15 to 19 are already mothers. Studies also revealed some youth have stopped schooling when they became mothers at a young age.