ILOILO City – There was a 15-percent drop in the cases of teenage pregnancy in this city last year, according to the City Population Office (CPO).
In 2017, CPO recorded 583 cases – down by 108 from the 691 cases in 2016.
Teenage pregnancy refers to adolescents (from 10 to 19 years old) who get impregnated.
CPO recorded 111 teenage pregnancy cases in first quarter (January to March) of 2018.
Mayor Jose Espinosa III attributed the decrease to the city government’s campaign against teenage pregnancy.
“We look forward to a further drop in cases this year. To achieve this, we will step up our information campaign targeting the youth both in school and those out of school,” said City Population Program Officer III Rachel Lapascua.
The Iloilo City Information Service Delivery Network (IISDN) refers pregnant adolescents to various national agencies for help.
The IISDN is a network of facilities, institutions and providers offering information, training and core packages of health and social care services.
City Population Program Officer II Ma. Cecilia Guillergan said curiosity on sex, rebellion towards parents, lack of parental guidance, and improper use of social media could lead to early pregnancy.
The CPO has an information, education and communication (IEC) campaign to help curb the cases. (Merianne Grace Ereñeta, Iloilo City PIO/PN)
