THE COMMISSION on Population and Development has raised alarm over the increasing rates of early pregnancies in the Philippines.

During a Senate Committee on Basic Education hearing, PopCom Deputy Executive Director Lolito Tacardon revealed a disturbing case of an eight-year-old girl from Sulu giving birth in 2023.

Data from the Civil Registry and Vital Statistics shows 11,497 live births among girls aged 10 to 15 in 2023, 54,510 among girls 17 and below, and 23,260 repeat pregnancies.

Most of the fathers were aged 20 and above, raising concerns about sexual abuse among teenage mothers.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the committee, pointed out that while the overall teenage pregnancy rate dropped from 209,000 cases in 2012 to 142,000 in 2023, pregnancies among girls aged 10 to 14 have risen sharply—from 1,629 in 2013 to 3,342 in 2023.

Gatchalian emphasized the urgent need to address this disturbing trend.

Department of Health Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo confirmed the rise in early pregnancies, suggesting that education on puberty should start as early as eight or nine years old, instead of the usual age of 11. He advocated for providing age-appropriate, culturally sensitive information to help children understand their bodies and reproductive health.

Domingo also pointed out an alarming pattern: many people diagnosed with HIV reported their first sexual experience at 16, with contraceptive use typically starting only at age 17. This gap highlights the lack of proper sexual education and access to reproductive health services for young people.

PopCom and the DOH reiterated the importance of collaboration between government agencies, schools, and communities to address teenage pregnancy. They emphasized the need for comprehensive sex education and early interventions to protect children from exploitation and abuse.