1,035 adolescent births recorded in CAR during first half of 2026; Apayao logged highest number

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — A total of 1,035 adolescent births were recorded in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) during the first half of 2026, including 64 repeat births among girls aged 10 to 19.

Based on data from the Office of the Provincial Health Officer-Kalinga, 1,035 adolescent births were recorded from January to June 2026.

Of the total, 64 or 6.18% were repeat births, referring to adolescent births recorded among young mothers who had previously given birth.

Of the 64 repeat births, 36 were recorded during the first quarter, while 28 were recorded in the second quarter.

Apayao records highest number of adolescent births

Apayao recorded the highest number of adolescent births with 226, followed by Baguio City with 199, Mountain Province with 168, Abra with 140, Benguet with 120, Ifugao with 119, and Kalinga with 59.

Meanwhile, Mountain Province recorded the highest number of repeat births with 20, followed by Apayao with 18, Baguio City with 14, Abra with eight, Benguet with three, Ifugao with one, and Kalinga with no recorded repeat births during the first half of the year.

Birth rate slightly declines

Among girls aged 10 to 19, the Cordillera recorded a regional birth rate of 2.91 in the first quarter and 2.80 in the second quarter.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adolescent pregnancy refers to pregnancy among girls aged 10 to 19.

Globally, adolescent mothers face higher risks of certain complications, including eclampsia, infections and other health conditions, compared with mothers aged 20 to 24. Their babies also face higher risks of premature birth, low birth weight and severe neonatal conditions.

Rapid repeat pregnancy following a first birth may also pose additional risks, according to the WHO.

Aside from health concerns, early pregnancy may affect a young mother's education, employment opportunities and long-term prospects.

Call for stronger support for adolescents

In light of the data, continued support from families, schools, health workers and communities is important to provide young people with accurate information on reproductive health, healthy relationships and responsible decision-making.

Young people are encouraged to prioritize their education, health and long-term goals, and to seek guidance from trusted parents, teachers or health professionals for accurate and age-appropriate information and advice.

For adolescents who have already given birth, continued access to postpartum healthcare, family-planning counseling and other adolescent-friendly health services is also important to protect the health of both mother and child and help prevent an unintended repeat pregnancy. The WHO also recommends postpartum contraceptive support to help reduce second pregnancies among adolescents.

With more than 1,000 adolescent births recorded in CAR during the first six months of 2026, coordinated action among health authorities, families, schools and communities remains important to prevent early pregnancy and provide adequate support to young mothers.