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| PBBM to Review Revised Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Bill |
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has expressed his intention to review the revised version of the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill. This bill aims to address the rising rates of teenage pregnancies in the Philippines through comprehensive sex education and other preventive measures.
The original version of the bill faced criticism from various groups, including President Marcos, who expressed concerns over certain provisions. He specifically objected to elements he described as promoting a "woke mentality," which he felt were inappropriate for inclusion in the legislation.
In response to these concerns, Senator Risa Hontiveros, the bill's author, introduced a substitute measure to amend the contentious provisions. The revised bill emphasizes that access to health services for adolescents should be "responsive and sensitive to the particular needs of the adolescent," and it requires parental or guardian consent for minors under 16 to access sexual and reproductive health information and services.
Additionally, the revised bill mandates the integration of comprehensive sex education (CSE) as a compulsory component of education, aiming to normalize discussions about adolescent sexuality and reproductive health while removing stigma at all levels. It also requires the standardization and implementation of CSE in all public and private basic education institutions, guided by the Department of Education and international standards.
The bill has undergone significant revisions to address the concerns raised by various stakeholders, including the President and members of the Senate. The outcome of this legislative process will be crucial in determining the future of adolescent pregnancy prevention efforts in the Philippines.
Find additional resources here. Philippine News Agency Inquirer.net