In a passionate plea to address two pressing public health crises, Philippine Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has urged parents and local governments to take a frontline role in tackling the alarming rise in teenage pregnancies and HIV infections across the country. Speaking from the capital, Manila, the senator emphasised the critical need for parental involvement to instil responsible behaviour among adolescents, warning of the dire consequences of inaction.
“We have to focus on getting the parents more involved, not just by meeting them regularly but by really mobilising them,” Gatchalian said in a recent statement. “I believe that mobilising parents is another way of curbing teenage pregnancies. We make them aware of these issues and empower them by educating them on how to talk to their kids.”
A Growing Crisis Among the Youngest Adolescents
While teenage pregnancies among 15- to 19-year-olds have shown a decline in recent years, Gatchalian highlighted a disturbing trend among younger adolescents. According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), pregnancies among girls aged 10 to 14 have more than doubled over the past decade, rising from 1,629 cases in 2013 to 3,342 in 2023. This sharp increase has raised serious concerns about the vulnerability of very young girls to early sexual activity and the associated risks, including health complications and interrupted education. 
Equally alarming is the surge in HIV infections among young Filipinos. Citing Department of Health (DOH) figures, Gatchalian noted that the average number of newly reported HIV cases per month reached 1,470 in the first half of 2023. Of the total reported cases, 29 percent—or 34,415 individuals—were youths aged 15 to 24. This statistic underscores the urgent need for comprehensive education and prevention strategies targeting adolescents, who are disproportionately affected by the epidemic.
The senator’s call to action comes at a time when public health advocates and policymakers are grappling with how to address these intertwined issues. Teenage pregnancies and HIV infections often share common root causes, including limited access to sexual and reproductive health education, socio-economic challenges, and cultural stigmas surrounding discussions of sexuality.
Empowering Parents Through Legislation
At the heart of Gatchalian’s proposed solution is the full implementation of the Parent Effectiveness Service (PES) Program Act, or Republic Act No. 11908, which he authored and co-sponsored. The law, enacted to strengthen parental skills and knowledge, aims to assist parents and guardians in fulfilling their responsibilities, protecting children’s rights, and fostering positive early childhood development. It also seeks to advance children’s educational progress by ensuring a supportive home environment.
Under the PES Program, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is designated as the lead agency, tasked with rolling out the initiative across every city and municipality in the Philippines. Gatchalian has stressed the importance of collaboration between the DSWD and the Department of Education (DepEd) to engage Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) in distributing educational modules developed under the programme. This partnership, he argues, is essential to ensuring that parents are equipped with the tools and knowledge to guide their children through adolescence.
“Parents are the first line of defence,” Gatchalian asserted. “By empowering them with the right information and skills, we can create a ripple effect that protects our youth from the consequences of risky behaviours.”
The PES Program represents a proactive approach to addressing social challenges through family-centric policies. By focusing on parental education, the initiative seeks to bridge gaps in communication between generations, particularly on sensitive topics like sexual health and relationships. However, the success of the programme will depend heavily on local government units’ capacity to implement it effectively and on parents’ willingness to participate.
Controversy Over Comprehensive Sexuality Education
While advocating for parental involvement, Gatchalian has also waded into a contentious debate over the Department of Education’s Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) curriculum. In a recent radio interview, the senator raised concerns about the programme’s legal basis, describing it as “unconstitutional” due to its absence from existing legislation. “What was in the law is the reproductive health education under the Reproductive Health Law of 2012,” he argued, suggesting that the CSE lacks clear statutory grounding.
This critique has sparked a broader discussion about the role of formal education in addressing teenage pregnancies and HIV prevention. Proponents of CSE argue that it provides age-appropriate, evidence-based information to students, equipping them with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their sexual health. Critics, including Gatchalian, contend that such programmes must be carefully aligned with legal frameworks and cultural values to avoid overstepping boundaries or alienating communities.
The controversy highlights the delicate balance policymakers must strike between advancing public health objectives and respecting societal norms in a predominantly conservative country like the Philippines. If unresolved, this debate could hinder efforts to implement cohesive strategies for adolescent health and education.
Broader Implications for Philippine Society
The twin challenges of teenage pregnancies and rising HIV rates carry profound implications for the Philippines’ social and economic fabric. Early pregnancies often derail young girls’ education and future prospects, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality. According to a 2022 report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), adolescent mothers are less likely to complete secondary education and more likely to face health risks during childbirth. Their children, in turn, are at greater risk of malnutrition and developmental delays.
Meanwhile, the high incidence of HIV among young Filipinos threatens to strain the country’s healthcare system and exacerbate stigma surrounding the disease. Without targeted interventions, the long-term costs—both human and economic—could be staggering. Public health experts have repeatedly called for integrated approaches that combine education, access to healthcare services, and community engagement to address these issues holistically.
Gatchalian’s emphasis on mobilising parents and local governments aligns with this broader vision. By fostering collaboration between families, schools, and authorities, his proposals aim to create a multi-layered support system for adolescents. However, questions remain about the scalability of such initiatives and whether sufficient resources will be allocated to ensure their impact.
A Call for Collective Responsibility
As the Philippines grapples with these complex public health challenges, Senator Gatchalian’s message is clear: protecting the country’s youth requires collective responsibility. Parents, educators, and local leaders must work hand in hand to create an environment where adolescents can thrive without falling prey to the risks of early pregnancy or HIV infection.
The senator’s advocacy for the PES Program and his critique of existing educational frameworks reflect a broader push for systemic change. While the path forward is fraught with challenges—ranging from legal ambiguities to cultural sensitivities—there is a growing consensus that inaction is not an option. The stakes are high, not just for the individuals directly affected, but for the future of Philippine society as a whole.
For now, Gatchalian’s appeal serves as a rallying cry for families and communities to take ownership of these issues. Whether his vision translates into tangible outcomes will depend on the commitment of all stakeholders to prioritise the well-being of the nation’s youth. As the senator himself put it, empowering parents is not just a strategy—it is a moral imperative.
