The Commission on Population and Development (CPD, also known as POPCOM) has joined forces with LGUs and the private sector in Laguna province to enhance its programs aimed at increasing awareness of family planning, especially among adolescents.
CPD-Region 4A signed a memorandum of agreement with the city government of Biñan, Laguna led by Mayor Arman Dimaguila, the Department of Health - Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Calabarzon, and Zuellig Family Foundation last May 7 for the implementation of The Challenge Initiative.
The Challenge Initiative is a global platform on family planning and youth sexual and reproductive health services, co-implemented by the Zuelling Family Foundation and William H. Gates Sr. Institute for Public Health.
The city government of Biñan, Laguna is the latest among 24 cities in the Philippines that have partnered with the TCI, as well as the CPD and DOH, for the wider implementation of family planning services among the youth.
"This collaboration aims to combat and decrease adolescent pregnancy by providing family planning services; address reproductive health and family planning issues; and design policies that promote healthy communities," the Biñan City LGU said in its Facebook page.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the number of adolescent mothers aged 10 to 19 years rose from 136,302 in 2021 to 150,138 in 2022. In the same period, the number of adolescent mothers in the age bracket of 15 to 19 years also posed an increase from 133,982 to 147,003.
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