(Photo by RAUL ARBOLEDA / STAFF / AFP / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) and the Commission on Population (PopCom), in a dissemination forum on Wednesday, Feb. 17, sounded the alarm on adolescent pregnancy and other top concerns of women in the Philippines during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Last week, the data from the civil registry on pregnancy of “very young adolescents” in 2019 was released.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), through POPCOM, said that a total of 62,510 children gave birth in 2019.
Of these, seven very young adolescents or those between 10-14 years gave birth per day, or a total of 2,411 for the year.
Makabayan bloc wants probe on rising number of teenage pregnancies
Published February 12, 2021 9:14am
Updated February 12, 2021 10:57am Members of the Makabayan bloc have pushed for the conduct of investigation on the increase of teenage pregnancies in the country. Through House Resolution No. 1571, Representatives Arlene Brosas, Carlos Isagani Zarate, Ferdinand Gaite, Eufemia Cullamat, France Castro and Sarah Elago are seeking a probe, in aid of legislation, on the alarming rise of pregnancies among girls aged 15 and below so that recommendations could be made to address the issue. The lawmakers said pregnancy among minors is a major health issue, especially for the marginalized sector who have little to no access to family planning methods, health services and other relevant information about reproductive health.
Covid-19: The Philippines and its lockdown baby boom
BBC
Rovelie Zabala is heavily pregnant with her 10th child.
As we talk, the 41-year-old leans at an awkward angle, leveraging all her back strength to hold her ninth child in her arms. Carl, Jewel, Joyce… As Rovelie names her children, six-year-old Charlie shoots his mother a look of disapproval. Sorry, his name is Charlie, says Rovelie, innocently.
Rovelie had had seven children before she learnt about family planning, but this latest addition was a surprise conceived during one of the world s strictest lockdowns, which saw soldiers patrolling the streets in armoured personnel carriers, police checkpoints restricting movement and only one family member allowed out to shop for food supplies.
Covid-19: The Philippines and its lockdown baby boom
By Howard Johnson & Virma Simonette & Flora Drury
BBC News
Rovelie Zabala is heavily pregnant with her 10th child.
As we talk, the 41-year-old leans at an awkward angle, leveraging all her back strength to hold her ninth child in her arms. Carl, Jewel, Joyce… As Rovelie names her children, six-year-old Charlie shoots his mother a look of disapproval. Sorry, his name is Charlie, says Rovelie, innocently.
Rovelie had had seven children before she learnt about family planning, but this latest addition was a surprise conceived during one of the world s strictest lockdowns, which saw soldiers patrolling the streets in armoured personnel carriers, police checkpoints restricting movement and only one family member allowed out to shop for food supplies.