A DAVAO City lawmaker said there is a need to "decisively address" the continuous alarming high cases of early pregnancy in the city amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pamela Librado–Morata said according to the 2020 report from the Population Commission (PopCom) on February 2, Davao Region had the highest incidence of teenage pregnancy among other regions in the country. Data also showed that Davao City had the highest incidence of teenage pregnancy in the region, followed by Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte.
PopCom also disclosed that in 2018, there were 15,703 cases of teenage pregnancy reported in Davao Region, 14,000 in 2019, and 12,000 cases in 2020.
While there is a seeming decline in the numbers, Librado–Morata said figures remained "significantly high".
"There is thus a prevailing problem that needs to be decisively addressed. The issue of reproductive health and the welfare of women and girls should remain a priority, especially amid the pandemic wherein access to reproductive health services has become more challenging and domestic abuse cases are reportedly on the rise," the councilor said during the 19th City Council regular session on Tuesday, February 23.
She also said early pregnancy is a "multi-faceted issue that is aggravated by other social problems such as poverty, lack of education, and drop-out rates, among others."
Addressing early pregnancy, along with eradicating sexual and all forms of abuse against girls and women must be considered and addressed, Librado–Morata said.
With the recent statistics, the councilor urged the city government to intensify campaigns on reproductive health and direct services to women and girls, particularly those victims of abuse.
Davao City already has existing laws that focus on the concerns of women and children such as the Women Development Code, Children's Welfare Code, and the Women’s Reproductive Health Clinic Ordinance of Davao City.
She also said the City Health Office, City Social Welfare Development Office, and Integrated Gender Development Office have already initiated several programs to alleviate the situation.
"These are but the evidence that we need not start from scratch and that we have the initial tools that can help us forward. The continuing high rate of teenage pregnancy in the City prompts us that there are still many tasks that we need to do," she said.
She said among the efforts must include providing adequate services suited to young people and institutionalizing a massive and effective education campaign about sexual and reproductive health rights in both schools and communities.
Librado-Morata, in regard to this matter, passed a resolution to enact an ordinance institutionalizing social protection for teenage parents and addressing the problem of teenage pregnancies.