ILOILO City – The Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS), in collaboration with the Philippine Society of Adolescent Medicine (PSAMS) and the Society of Adolescent Medicine of the Philippines (SAMPI), has released a position paper in support of the amended Senate Bill 1979, also known as the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2023.
The paper endorses changes made to the bill, particularly the provisions on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), following initial concerns raised by the PPS.
In their statement, the pediatricians emphasize the critical role of CSE in preventing adolescent pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, highlighting the social, medical, emotional, and economic impact of teenage pregnancies.
“As pediatricians, we remain the vanguards of child health across the ages. We witness firsthand the profound impact of adolescent pregnancy, which endangers both the lives of young mothers and their children,” the PPS noted.
The bill aims to prevent adolescent pregnancies while providing social protection for young mothers and their children. This includes enhancing medical and social services to help these young individuals reach their full potential.
The PPS outlined its key positions on Senate Bill 1979:
1. Filipinization of the Law – The PPS calls for the adaptation of the law, including CSE, to local cultural contexts, encouraging collective responsibility in addressing adolescent pregnancy.
2. Empowerment of Parents – The PPS advocates for the continued role of parents in sexuality education, providing them with the tools necessary for open, factual, and respectful discussions about sexuality.
3. Inclusion of Multi-Sectoral Experts – The pediatric society stresses the importance of involving various sectors, including academic, religious, civil society, and legal professionals, in the law’s implementation.
4. Culturally Relevant Education – The PPS asserts that children have the right to sexuality education that is tailored to Filipino values, enabling them to make informed, responsible decisions, foster healthy relationships, and resist abuse.
5. Support for Adolescent Mothers – The PPS strongly supports measures to assist adolescent mothers and their children, particularly through the effective rollout of CSE programs.
6. Active Participation in Implementation – The PPS pledges to be involved in discussions regarding the bill’s implementing rules and regulations, including the formation of an “Intersectoral Council” for its enforcement.
7. Capacity Building – The PPS commits to equipping its members and allied health professionals to address issues related to adolescent sexuality and reproductive health.
8. Development of Age-Appropriate Frameworks – The PPS offers its expertise in creating science-based, culturally appropriate frameworks that address the physical, emotional, and psychosocial health needs of children and adolescents.
9. Vigilance in Law’s Operationalization – While the PPS remains open to dialogue, it will be vigilant in opposing any attempts to reintroduce controversial provisions from earlier versions of the bill.
10. Promotion of Dignity and Rights – The PPS continues to advocate for the protection, preservation, and promotion of every adolescent’s dignity, ensuring their hope for a meaningful future.
Controversy and Opposition
Senate Bill 1979 has drawn criticism from groups such as the National Coalition for the Family and Project Dalisay, which launched an online petition to have the bill scrapped. They argue that CSE poses a threat to societal values, moral integrity, and spiritual development. Concerns raised include the undermining of parental authority, the potential early sexualization of children, the promotion of risky sexual behaviors, and the contradiction with constitutional values.
Project Dalisay’s petition also claims that the curriculum may normalize or promote alternative sexual orientations and introduce age-inappropriate content. The group further argues that the CSE program fails to emphasize abstinence as the expected standard for children and that some topics, such as discussions about body parts and sexual orientation, are inappropriate for young students.
The debate over Senate Bill 1979 continues as stakeholders push for reforms aimed at preventing adolescent pregnancies while balancing concerns about the content and delivery of sexuality education./PN
