CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Commission on Population and Development (CPD)-10 is intensifying efforts to address adolescent pregnancy in Northern Mindanao, which has the highest percentage of girls aged 15–19 who have begun childbearing in the country

In marking Population and Development Week, the agency held activities from November 23 to 29, with a renewed call for stronger interventions.

“Sa kasamtangan, ang CPD-10, kauban ang ubang mga ahensya, naay flagship initiative in response sa problema nato sa taas nga kaso sa adolescent pregnancy sa atong rehiyon diin, base sa datos sa NDHS [National Demographic and Health Survey], ang Region 10 ang naay pinakataas nga percentage sa mga babaye nga nag edad 15-19 years old nga nagsugod ug panganak,” said Kimberly Geralde, planning officer of CPD-10, during the Ang Rehiyon Karon radio program on November 21.

(Currently, CPD-10, together with other agencies, has a flagship initiative in response to our problem of high cases of adolescent pregnancy in our region, where, based on data from the NDHS, Region 10 has the highest percentage of women aged 15–19 who have started childbearing.)

With this growing concern, Geralde said CPD-10 is moving beyond awareness campaigns and is now implementing concrete actions to tackle the issue. The agency’s flagship initiative, Project 25@28, aims to reduce adolescent pregnancy in the region by 25 percent by 2028.

The project includes collaboration with local government units (LGUs), schools, and community organizations to deliver evidence-based programs, improve adolescent-friendly health services, and expand access to accurate reproductive health information.

CPD-10 is also working to build the capacity of teachers, barangay health workers, parents, and youth advocates to address the issue at the community level.

Geralde said these initiatives show that addressing adolescent pregnancy goes beyond service delivery. It demands coordinated strategies and sustained policy support from all levels of governance.

Ivy Gayle Oliverio, CPD-10 Capacity Development (CapDev) coordinator, stressed the importance of responsible parenthood and reproductive health in addressing the issue.

“Importante nga masabtan nato nga ang responsible parenthood and reproductive health work together. Kung ang mga ginikanan o magtiayon aduna’y sakto nga impormasyon, mas maka-decide sila og husto para sa ilang pamilya,” she said.

(It is important to understand that responsible parenthood and reproductive health work together. When parents or couples have the right information, they are better able to make the right decisions for their families.)

Oliverio noted that CPD-10’s parent education sessions, counseling, and community discussions help parents understand family planning and reproductive health. She also emphasized the importance of integrating population trends into local development plans to ensure the needs of young people are met.

CPD-10 further called for normalizing discussions on reproductive health in communities where young people often lack access to guidance and services.

“Ang mensahe nga gusto namo ipaabot mao nga ang family planning ug responsible parenthood bahin sa paghatag og mas maayong kinabuhi sa inyong pamilya,” Geralde said.

(Our message is that family planning and responsible parenthood are about giving your family a better life.)

The agency encouraged parents and community leaders to support youth education and maintain open lines of communication. CPD-10 emphasized that responsible parenthood is key to preparing families for life’s challenges and reducing adolescent pregnancy.

Oliverio said that through stronger partnerships with LGUs and targeted interventions, the commission aims to reverse the region’s rising trend and promote healthier futures for Northern Mindanao’s youth.

“Ang informed decisions sa family planning ug responsible parenthood usa ka dakong kontribusyon sa kalamboan ug kaayohan sa tanan,” said Oliverio.

(Informed decisions on family planning and responsible parenthood are a major contribution to the development and well-being of all.)

Population and Development Week

Population and Development Week highlights issues such as adolescent pregnancy, family planning, urban growth, migration, and education. The week included advocacy activities, data presentations, research forums, school engagements, and policy discussions, all aimed at demonstrating how population data influences housing, employment, health, and education outcomes.

As part of the week’s observance, CPD-10 held the Adolescent Pregnancy Summit from November 12 to 13, showcasing best practices aligned with population and development (POPDEV) strategies.

“Sa maong summit, gipakita usab sa mga researchers ang ilang mga pagtuon nga may kalabutan sa population and development, labi na gayud sa adolescent pregnancy,” Geralde said.

(At the summit, researchers also presented their studies related to population and development, especially adolescent pregnancy.)

Additionally, CPD-10 hosted the Regional Rafael M. Salas Kaunlarang Pantao Award (RMSKPA) Search for Outstanding Local Government Units in Localizing the POPDEV Agenda on November 13. The award recognizes LGUs for their contributions to population and development programs aligned with the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action (PPD-POA) 2023–2028.

“Ang POPDEV Week reminder kini nga ang tawo mao ang sentro sa kalamboan (POPDEV Week is a reminder that people are at the center of development),” Geralde said. (Recthie T. Paculba/PIA-10)