The Naga City Population and Nutrition Office (NCPNO) reports fluctuating trends in teenage pregnancy cases, with a general decline observed since the peak before the COVID-19 pandemic. Joy Macaraig, population program officer IV at the NCPNO, emphasized the office’s intensified efforts to achieve their goal of zero teenage pregnancies in the city.
“We are determined to achieve our goal of zero teen pregnancy,” Macaraig stated, adding that the NCPNO is focused on equipping teenagers with the knowledge and skills to avoid early pregnancies, be able to pursue their studies, and engage in productive activities.
Before the pandemic in 2019, the city recorded 368 cases of teenage pregnancies among girls aged 10-19. This dropped to 293 cases in 2020, although Macaraig noted that the figure may not reflect the true situation due to pandemic-related restrictions. By 2021, the number decreased further to 268 cases, followed by 264 in 2022 and 241 in 2024, showing a positive downward trend despite a slight increase to 282 cases in 2023.
A significant achievement of the NCPNO is the reduction in cases of repeat teenage pregnancies. From 53 cases in 2019, the number rose to 62 in 2022 but dropped to 38 in 2023 and further declined to 25 in 2024. The success was attributed to innovations in their programs, including house-to-house campaigns in the city’s 27 barangays, profiling teenage mothers, and master-listing them.
“By seriously encouraging teenage moms and their partners to consider family planning, we’ve seen notable improvements,” Macaraig explained.
The NCPNO offers a range of family planning methods, prioritizing modern long-acting solutions such as intrauterine devices (IUDs), progestin-only subdermal implants, and injectable contraceptives, which are considered more reliable than short-acting methods like pills. However, they also support natural family planning methods promoted by the Catholic Church.
“We cannot dictate any couple on what method they prefer to adopt, be it natural or artificial,” Macaraig said. “In fact, Naga is the first to organize a council promoting the natural method among the country’s LGUs, the Naga City Natural Family Planning Council (NCNFPC), which aims to integrate natural methods into mainstream family planning options.”
The NCNFPC, headed by Mayor Nelson Legacion, includes representatives from religious groups, the academe, NGOs, people’s organizations, and civil society organizations. Despite misconceptions about natural methods, the council continues to advocate for its wider adoption.
With a multi-pronged approach and partnerships, the NCPNO remains steadfast in its mission to address teenage pregnancy in the city. “We are doing our best to achieve zero teenage pregnancy by providing comprehensive family planning services,” Macaraig reiterated.
As the city continues its campaign, the local government and community stakeholders work hand-in-hand to ensure that adolescents are informed, empowered, and supported in making healthier life choices.
By Jason B. Neola (CEPPIO).
