THE COMMISSION on Population and Development has expressed alarm over the rising incidence of adolescent pregnancies, particularly among girls under 15 years old.

CPD Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales emphasized the urgent need for age-sensitive sexuality education to address the issue.

“Our focus is on protecting adolescents from abuse and equipping them with life skills to make informed decisions,” she said.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, live births among girls aged 10 to 14 increased from 2,411 in 2019 to 3,343 in 2023, a 6.6 percent rise.

More troubling is that in 2023, 38 girls under 15 experienced multiple pregnancies, and 17 women under 20 had given birth five or more times.

The issue is most acute in high-population regions such as Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and parts of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon.

“This is a critical issue affecting the health and future workforce of our country. Addressing it is essential for realizing the benefits of the demographic dividend and sustaining economic growth,” Bersales said.