President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he is supporting the implementation of a comprehensive sex education (CSE) program in schools, emphasizing its importance in addressing the country’s escalating teenage pregnancy rates.
“These are all of the things that we need to address. And so, the teaching of this in our schools is very, very, very important,” Mr. Marcos said.
“Children having children is a very difficult situation for both the child and the parent,” he added.
The CSE program aims to tackle issues such as teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and gender-based violence.
The President noted that teenage mothers often lack the necessary knowledge to care for themselves during pregnancy and to properly nurture their children post-birth.
There are now ongoing discussions in Congress regarding the integration of CSE into the national education system.
Advocates argue that CSE is essential for equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.
During a recent House Committee on Basic Education hearing, lawmakers scrutinized the DepEd’s initiative to introduce CSE starting from kindergarten.
Some senators have also raised concerns over the Senate’s version of the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill, particularly its provision for mandatory CSE.
Senate President Francis Escudero has proposed several amendments, indicating reservations about the bill in its current form. Senator Joel Villanueva opposed the measure, citing apprehensions that it may serve as a precursor to abortion and mandate sex education for kindergarten pupils.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, however, expressed her frustration over the disinformation circulating on social media surrounding a piece of legislation she authored addressing the critical issue of adolescent pregnancy.
Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality reminded the public that the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has classified early pregnancy as a “national and social emergency” since 2019.
Hontiveros said there are no provisions regarding the teaching or encouragement of masturbation for children aged 0 to 4 years old, nor does it propose to teach “bodily pleasure” to children aged 6 to 9 years old, or that children have “sexual rights.”