Article by:
Connie Calipay
LEGAZPI CITY – Amid limitations caused by the global pandemic, the Commission on Population in Bicol (POPCOM-5) found ways to carry out a host of activities - from webinars to house-to-house information campaigns - that raise awareness on teenage pregnancy and reproductive health in the region.
In a radio interview on Ugnayan sa Bicol on Thursday, Nina Albie Morallos, POPCOM Bicol information officer, said they debuted a youth webinar series on teen pregnancy called “Aramon Nimo” last March 8, with its second episode airing on March 29.
Meanwhile, the Social Protection Program for Adolescent Mothers and their Children (SPPAMC) workshop, another activity in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, will be held to determine the state of teenage pregnancies in different areas in the region.
Morallos said the towns of Buhi, Nabua and Iriga City in Camarines Sur are eyed as venues for the event because of their readiness and willingness to address women's and children's health issues.
“When it comes to the provinces with high number of teenage pregnancy cases, for how many years, the province of Camarines Sur ay laging nangunguna dahil siguro ito ‘yung pinakamalaking province [in Bicol] and sila ‘yung may pinakamalaking population (has always been on top maybe because it is the biggest province in Bicol and has the largest population),” she added.
To deliver their programs on family planning, Morallos said they also held a house-to-house information drive.
“Noong nagkapandemic, pinagbawal ‘yung pagtitipon-tipon so, nag-innovate po ang ating population officers sa ground. Sila ay nag-house-to-house na para po lamang mabigyan ng information at serbisyo ‘yung ating mga family and individuals doon po sa community (Social gatherings are prohibited during this pandemic so our population officers on the ground innovated and conducted house-to-house information campaign to reach families and individuals in the communities)," she said.
Meanwhile, “U4U" is a teen caravan focusing on information on adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health and the prevention of teen pregnancy among children.
According to the POPCOM, 11,224 teenage pregnancies were recorded in Bicol in 2019.
The POPCOM reminded parents, as primary educators, to guide and educate their children about sex and reproductive health. (With reports from Eliakim Neric/PNA-OJT)
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