SENATOR Nancy Binay has asked the Department of Education to have mechanisms in monitoring cases of teenage pregnancies where the child is a victim of sexual abuse.

During the Senate Committee on Basic Education hearing, Binay noted that the law raising the age for determining statutory rape from 12 to below 16 years old is already implemented.

Binay said several cases of teenage pregnancies are caused by sexual abuse which prompted the lawmakers to raise the age for determining statutory rape.

The senator inquired whether the department had corresponding measures to address teenage pregnancies arising from such abuse.

DepEd Assistant Secretary Alma Ruby Torio admitted that the department lacks a specific mechanism for monitoring such cases.

However, the education official assured that they are addressing the issue by reaching out to affected learners and their parents.