YOUNG MOM. Provincial population officials have raised the alarm over the increasing cases of teenage pregnancies in South Cotabato, which logged 1,238 cases during the first half of 2022. The provincial population office is focusing on at least three towns that have recorded high teenage pregnancy cases. (Photo lifted from the Commission on Population and Development Facebook page)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – South Cotabato’s Provincial Population Office (PPO) has strengthened its advocacy against teenage pregnancy after recording 1,238 cases for the first half of this year.
PPO Officer Zenaida A. Duron said Friday the towns of T’boli, Polomolok, and Lake Sebu were identified to have the most number of teenage pregnancy cases.
The municipality of T'boli ranks first with 277 cases, followed by Polomolok with 235, and Lake Sebu with 193.
“In a research (study), the Planning, Population and Development Unit of PPO recorded the pregnancy cases in the province during the first half of 2022,” Duron said.
PPO records showed that the young mothers are all under the age of 19 with an 11-year-old girl being the youngest to be pregnant during the period.
Duron said they are closely working with the Integrated Provincial Health Office represented by Family Planning, Adolescent Health Development Program, Maternal Child and Health Coordinator Genesis Q. Navales to intensify the campaign against teen pregnancy.
Priority will be given to the five barangays with the highest number of cases of teenage pregnancies, she said.
She said more efforts are also being poured to reach more villages regarding the problem, especially the geographically isolated and depressed areas of the province. (PNA)
