The Legazpi City Health Office (CHO) initiated the ‘Teen Nanay Advocacy Forum with a theme: Nene, Nanay ka na,’ on Monday, May 29 at SM City Legazpi.

About 50 teenage mothers, ages 19 and below from different barangays in Albay  participated in the said event.

‘’This aims to promote awareness regarding family planning, responsible parenthood, Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC) (through Legazpi PNP) and encourage them to continue their education not only for their kids' future but also for their own,’’ CHO Population Program Officer II/OIC Amylene B. Santillan said.

The activity includes discussion about nutrition in adolescence, E-Konsulta, vocational courses applicable to adolescent mothers, and offered courses in Alternative Learning System.

Santillan highlighted that they are still young and their relationship with their partners might be temporary thus,  education  can provide a better future for their children.

Education as a key for Teen Nanay

‘’I attended this forum because I think I will gain knowledge from this as a teenage mother,’’ Jessa, age 18 from Legazpi City, who is with her 1 year old child said in vernacular. 

Jessa admitted  that she faced a lot of struggles as a Teen Nanay.

‘’Sometimes I call my mother when I am facing difficulties at home, but she said I wanted this so I should be accountable and responsible with it,’’ Jessa said.

She said that she was forcing herself to resolve problems on her own and decide what an adult should be doing.

Despite the many challenges, Jessa expressed her perseverance to continue her education despite her responsibilities.

‘’I will continue my education once my child learn to walk  because It is difficult to focus on my studies while taking care of my child,’’ Jessa said.

Jessa said that she’s a graduating student in grade 12 but  never had to join the graduation march after  she got pregnant at the age of 17.

In a statement released by the National Nutrition Council, pregnant adolescents face a reduced likelihood of completing higher education and have lesser  potential throughout their lifetime to earn more , resulting in economic losses for the country.

According to the  National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in February 2023,  teenage pregnancy is common among ages 15-19  or those who reached or finished primary education (Grade levels 1-6) in 2022.

It is said that Senior grades (11-12) high school levels recorded an increase from 2.6% in 2017 to 4.8% in 2022.

PSA concluded that,’’the incidence of teenage pregnancy decreases as educational level increases.’’

Based on the data recorded by the PSA, Bicol region has the lowest percentage of teenage pregnancy with 2.4% while Northern Mindanao had the highest with 10.9% pregnant teens on ages 15 to 19.

PSA cited that the teenage pregnancy in the Philippines had declined to 5.4% in 2022 from 8.6% in 2017. (PIA5/Albay)