BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- The Commission on Population and Development - Cordillera (POPCOM-CAR) presented the preliminary findings of the 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS5) thru a webinar series on Wednesday( November 29).
 
POPCOM-CAR Acting Regional Director Cecile Basawil said the study reflects the voice of the youth which signifies that their needs must be included in program planning.

The survey  provides  comprehensive and timely information on Filipino adolescents and young adults, specifically on issues related to sexuality, fertility, reproductive health, education, and employment aspirations and trajectories, health and lifestyle, media use, mental health, as well as their attitudes on marriage, family formation, and norms, among others.

"If we want to make an impact po dun sa mga programs that we are doing, ito na po 'yung baseline na sinasabi natin. At kung titingnan natin, for some factors, it's really very alarming and it needs really a concerted effort from the various inter-agencies for us to be able to attain 'yung vision natin for the Filipino youth which is having empowered adolescents provided with necessary information to make just decisions," she emphasized.
 
She added that concerned stakeholders must act now to impact positive changes among the youth who are considered as the hope of the nation.
 
"So, the data is here, the call of the youth is for us to hear their voices and to include their needs in our plans. This is their voice, let us not disappoint them," Basawil enjoined.

POPCOM-CAR Information Officer Hazel Bandas said that the result of the 2021 YAFS which is the fifth round of the series, can help the policy makers in formulating programs and policies for youth aligned with the achievement of sustainable development goals.
 
"This can be used by agencies and LGUs for decision making and coming up with programs when it comes to youth," Bandas said.
 
The University of the Philippines Population Institute(UPPI)   and the  Demographic Research and Development Foundation, Inc. have been conducting the  YAFS since 1982. It is the Philippines' largest series of nationally and regionally representative, cross-sectional surveys on the 15-24 age group. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)