Teenage births continue to rise in Mt. Province; Youngest mother just 13

Bontoc, Mountain Province — Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)–Mountain Province indicate a continued rise in teenage births in the province in recent years, with a total of 251 recorded cases in 2024.

Teenage pregnancy remains a critical concern in the Philippines, with many adolescent mothers facing health risks, interrupted education, and socio-economic challenges. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Commission on Population (POPCOM), thousands of girls aged 10 to 19 give birth each year.

In response to the rising number of adolescent pregnancies, lawmakers have proposed measures such as the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Act (House Bill 8910) and the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2023 (Senate Bill 1979), which seek to establish a national policy to prevent teenage pregnancies and provide social protection programs for adolescent parents and their children.

Despite government efforts and information campaigns to curb teenage pregnancy, the number of adolescent mothers in Mountain Province continues to rise.

Comparative data show that teenage births in Mountain Province increased from 228 cases in 2023 to 251 in 2024, representing a rise of more than 10 percent. The youngest mother recorded in 2024 was 13 years old, highlighting the vulnerability of very young adolescents.

In an interview with GURU Press, PSA Mountain Province Chief Statistical Officer Jerry Santos explained that birth data are recorded based on the mother’s registered address, even if the child is delivered in a different province.

“Yung basis namin sa pag-report ng teenage pregnancy ay yung address ng mother. Kahit manganak siya sa ibang province — let’s say Kalinga — pero ang address ng mother ay Paracelis, Mountain Province, doon namin siya iri-register,” Santos said.

He also shared that based on PSA data from 2023 and 2024, the Municipality of Paracelis recorded the highest number of teenage pregnancy cases, with 192 cases during the two-year period.

Santos reminded parents of their vital role in preventing teenage pregnancy, emphasizing the importance of close parental guidance and supervision. He encouraged parents to limit their children’s screen time, monitor their activities more closely — especially their daughters — and ensure their safety. He further advised parents to allow their children to socialize, while setting clear boundaries, including strict curfews.

“Tayong mga magulang ang dapat magbantay sa ating mga anak, lalo na sa mga babae. Bigyan natin sila ng oras para makihalubilo sa mga kaibigan, pero huwag natin silang hayaan na lumampas sa dis-oras ng gabi,” Santos added.

Meanwhile, PSA Mountain Province said that data for 2025 are not yet available as of this time.