President Rodrigo Duterte has issued an executive order (EO) adopting as a "national priority" the implementation of measures to address the rising number of teenage pregnancies in the country. The President said the number of adolescent pregnancies is "expected to rise, as girls already living in dysfunctional homes spend more time with their households as a result of the pandemic and are hereby more exposed to abuse." In a 2006 study, lost income from early childbearing was estimated at P33 billion yearly, according to Duterte. The National Youth Commission was urged to establish a forum for continuing dialogue between the government and the youth sector on the proper planning and evaluation of policies, programs and projects affecting the youth. Duterte tasked the Department of Budget and Management to ensure that the annual National Expenditure Program should include initiatives for the prevention of adolescent pregnancies in the annual Budget Priorities Framework and its corresponding budget guidelines.

Source: Manila Times June 29, 2021 16:29 UTC