Teenage pregnancy has become a concern in Tagbilaran City, according to Dr. Jeia Pondoc, the city health officer.
Pondoc revealed her concerns in a radio interview over Open Forum on Dec. 13, 2022, hosted by Ardy Araneta-Batoy and Dave Albarado.
She said that the city health office has seen a concern regarding teenage pregnancy in the city. In fact, the youngest person recorded to be pregnant in the city now is only 12 years old.
“It is very true. We have one as young as 12 years old [who is pregnant]. So mao ni ang sad nga effect as the years go by kay nagkabata ang atong mga buntis. Nahug nga mao pay pagka daga, [unya] mabuntis na,” the doctor said in her interview.
She said that pregnancy at 12 years old is not normal and the trend shows that the age level of those who get pregnant here is getting younger.
She said most of the teenagers getting pregnant have no access to proper education. They mostly belong to the lower income bracket families.
“Pahibaw mi sa tanan nga ang City Health Office or karon ang gitawag nato nga Tagbilaran City Primary Care Facility adolescent and youth-friendly na karon. Naa mi mga services intended for adolescents and youth. Also, the training ang among mga staff gi-training mao nakadawat mi ug award for that,” Pondoc said.
The doctor also said the influence of social media contributes to the inquisitive nature of adolescent people towards sex and thus contribute to the concerns on teenage pregnancy.
The factor contributed by proper parental control also impacts the incidence of teenage pregnancies, the doctor further quipped.
Pondoc said they are implementing interventions with the purpose to save the youth from teenage pregnancies.
“We have to really inculcate in them, [the young] being responsible youth,” she emphasized.