THE Commission on Population (Popcom)-Northern Mindanao is upping its efforts in addressing the increase in teenage pregnancies in Northern Mindanao.
This was after reports from the 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) showed an increase in the incidence of teenage pregnancy in Northern Mindanao from 13 percent in 2013 to 14.7 percent, the second highest throughout the country.
Davao Region recorded the highest teenage pregnancy rate nationwide at 17.9 percent while Soccsksargen ranked third at 14.5 percent.
The raise in teenage pregnancy rate in Northern Mindanao runs counter to the goal and objectives of Adolescent Health and Development (AHD) programs of the region in reducing teenage pregnancy by two percent per year.
"This is despite the efforts na atong gihimo una, duna tay gipaghimo nga tudlo nato sa mga klase, third to fourth year high schools, nagtudlo ta bahin sa sexuality education and of course atong gihisgutan dito kung unsa may mahimong mga complications kung magmabdos sila at an early age, gawas sa ilang panglawas, of course maapekto pud ang ilang edukasyon (that we did before in implementing sexual education for 3rd year to 4th year high schools where complications of pregnancy at an early age, which involved not only their body but also their education, were discussed)," Popcom-Northern Mindanao Regional Director Jeremias Gupit said on Wednesday, July 11.
"Katong mga style nato sa una dili na na moapekto sa tong mga kabatanonan karon (Those interventions we did before is not going to work anymore to the youth of today). So we have to invent ways and one of this is establishment of teen centers," he added.
According to Gupit, teen centers are managed by either the municipality or by the school itself wherein teenagers are free to visit the establishment to talk about sexuality.
"Not in the usual way nga basahan silag bibliya (wherein they were bible passages were being read to them) or whatever, murag moral ang dating (like concerning morality), because tides are now changing," Gupit said.
He also mentioned that they were able to form an alliance with the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro to incorporate adolescence sexuality education in Catholic run high schools.
"So naa na ta, nag sugod na ta (So here we have it, we are already starting). This is with the initiative of Bishop [Antonio] Ledesma," Gupit said.
Despite the newly-formed solutions to combat the increase in teenage pregnancy incidence, the Popcom regional director said all these efforts will not be enough if sexuality education will not begin in homes.
"What happened is that in the house, dili ta gatudlo (we do not teach sexuality education) because it is a taboo makig istorya sa balay bahin sa sexuality (to talk about sexuality in the house)," Gupit said.
He added that sexuality education at home should be encouraged.