DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, April 28 (PIA) – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) here reported the increasing trend of births among adolescent mothers under 15 years old or in Grade 9 students in Negros Oriental.

It was shown under its Civil Registry and Vital Statistics (CRVS) in 2021 that at least 2,254 girls aged 15 to 19 gave birth in the province.

Supervising Statistical Specialist Felida Generoso of PSA presented some relevant data that can guide policy makers to formulate measures and intended impacts to young people in a Data Dissemination Forum.

It was noted that the surge of pregnant teenagers in the province has been long observed in the past years.

The local Commission on Population official also cited that children who became mothers at a young age may end up living in poverty as workers who do not have college degrees.

Generoso said 15% of teenage mothers were from Siaton and Pamplona, and other registered live births delivered by adolescent girls came from the cities of Bayawan, Tanjay, Guihulngan, Canlaon and the municipality of Sta. Catalina which also comprised more than 12% of the total births of their place.

The PSA official said these data can be the basis for programs of the local government units or other agencies for these young people especially girls engaged in more reproductive health and prepare them for their future.

Although the PSA official said their primary role is only to gather the data, he said that practical evidence suggest the link of risky behaviour of the youths, technology, ineffective parental guidance, poverty, and peer pressure contributed to the crucial factors in the prevalence of teenage pregnancy in the province.

Generoso said the data and information must be available for policymakers to assess the situation and develop appropriate evidence-based responses and policies. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)