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THE United States government has activated an amount of approximately P13.8 billion ($250 million) in foreign assistance to the Philippines that will strengthen health systems, improve disease detection and response capabilities, while enhancing maternal- and child-health services in the country-measures that the US Embassy said will make both countries ‘safer, stronger, and more prosperous.’

The new funding raises the total of recently announced US foreign assistance committed to the Philippines to more than P17 billion ($313 million), following an earlier announcement of P3 billion ($63 million) of similar funding to support Philippine energy sector resilience, combat illegal fishing in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea, and deepen private-sector development in the Luzon Economic Corridor.

The US commitment to improve health outcomes in the Philippines and the Indo-Pacific region focuses on critical areas of tuberculosis control and prevention, global health security, maternal and child health and nutrition, plus other areas important to both countries’ health security. The funding supports key initiatives such as supply chain management, data and information systems, and laboratory strengthening.

‘This funding underscores the United States’ unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of the Filipino people, and demonstrates our long-term partnership in addressing shared challenges,’ said Ambassador MaryKay Carlson. ‘Together, we are building a healthier, more resilient future.’

The embassy’s Foreign Assistance Section will lead the implementation of the said initiatives in priority areas.

THE British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) commends the signing of Republic Act (RA) 12254, or the e-Governance Act, which streamlines and institutionalizes the government’s digital transition.

Executive Vice Chair Chris Nelson of the BCCP recognized the enactment as a reinforcement of current initiatives to eliminate red tape, while further boosting the country’s overall digital economy.

According to Nelson, this development aligns with broader government initiatives to eliminate red tape, with the BCCP acting as a champion of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), enabling direct reporting on related issues.

The chamber also noted that, ‘beyond strengthening governance, this law also positions the Philippines as a stronger investment destination in the region. By streamlining processes, cutting red tape, and embracing digital innovation, the e-Governance Act reinforces a modern, business-friendly environment-one that

enhances the country’s competitiveness, attracts higher levels of foreign direct investment, and drives long-term, sustainable economic growth.’

Nelson also welcomed the passage of other priority legislation such as the Konektadong Pinoy Act and Investors’ Lease Act: ‘We wish to commend the current administration, because [it is taking a really proactive approach to passing legislation. We have been a key advocate for this as] an ARTA Champion, and e-Governance will certainly assist that.’

For him, these developments can be linked to ‘further increasing the country’s digital trade that will encourage more investments in digital infrastructure, e-commerce, and other industries.’

The BCCP official pointed out that digital transformation reforms must be complemented by measures to strengthen and institutionalize cybersecurity by way of the passage of the Cybersecurity Act, which will enhance the country’s digital and cyber infrastructure, while ensuring a more resilient Philippine digital economy.

According to Nelson, these developments will also strengthen the expanding trade relations between the United Kingdom and the Philippines, which reached £3 billion in the four quarters ending the first three months of 2025.

He also highlighted the just-established UK-Philippine Joint Economic and Trade Committee or JETCO, and the Philippines’ interest to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership or the CPTPP.

The Department of Health (DOH) has deployed medical teams to Bogo City, Cebu, following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake on Tuesday night.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa stated that the first batch of the emergency response team originated from the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City.

Also, the DOH Cebu South Medical Center (CSMC) deployed medical teams on Wednesday, not only in Bogo City but also in nearby areas.

The DOH Centers for Health Development (CHDs/ regional offices) in Central and Eastern Visayas have reported back and are now coordinating with their regional counterparts of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

‘The DOH advises all in affected areas to heed all instructions and advice from their local government units, and to brace for possible aftershocks,’ the DOH said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has mobilized its ambulances from Cebu, Bogo, and Masbate to assist those affected by the earthquake.

The PRC said that its volunteers continue to respond on the scene to provide essential medical care.

St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City launched last September 24, 2025 the Blood Cancer Care Service, a specialized program designed to deliver comprehensive, world-class treatment for patients battling blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

According to Dr. Francis Lopez, Head of the Blood Cancer Care Service, hematologic malignancies remain a significant health challenge in the Philippines. He pointed out that current data indicate that approximately 33 Filipinos are diagnosed with blood cancer very day. This translates to thousands of new cases every year.

‘These are not just numbers; these represent lives and families profoundly affected by these diseases. This is precisely why St. Luke’s has take the step to establish a dedicated blood cancer care service,’ he said.

‘We recognize that to provide the highest quality of care, we must move toward further specialization where our physicians, nurses and staff can focus on specific diseases, deepen their expertise and stay at the forefront of the latest diagnostics and treatment,’ he added.

Beneficial to patients

The opening of the services ensures that patients benefit from the care that is ‘comprehensive, precise and compassionate.’

‘Our ultimate goal this year is clear: to serve our patients better, to give them the best chance at recovery, the best quality of life and the hope they deserve,’ Dr. Lopez said.

The opening of the new service coincided with the accreditation of St. Luke’s Cancer Institute as a Cancer Specialty Center by the Department of Health.

‘This means that the care we provide really meets the national standards that’s evidence-based, multidisciplinary and centered on the needs of every patient who comes through our doors and entrusts their care to us,’ said Dr. Marie Belle Francia, head of the Cancer Institute at St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City.

Benchmark

For his part, Dr. Dennis Serrano, President and CEO of St. Luke’s Medical Center, said with the opening of the Blood Cancer Care Service, St. Luke’s will become the benchmark for many hospitals.

‘It is really inherent upon us to keep pushing the envelope in terms of finding out how much more we can do for the patients, what newer and more innovative things and more groundbreaking outcomes we can offer our patients,’ he said.

He added that everything that the hospital does is for the benefit of their patients.

‘As we grow from one to two hospitals and eventually to three hospitals in our one healthcare system, we should never lose sight of the fact that really the main objective of all of this growth, all of these advances, is patient outcomes. And the opening of this service is a testament to that commitment, to that objective that we are always looking out for patient outcomes,’ Dr. Serrano said.

Multidisciplinary team

At the core of the new service is a multidisciplinary team of subspecialized hematologists working alongside oncologists, pathologists, geneticists, and supportive care professionals. This collaborative model ensures that every patient benefits from a treatment plan that is coordinated, individualized, and comprehensive.

St. Luke’s-Global City’s Blood Cancer Care Service offers advanced hematologic, genetic, and molecular testing. These tools enable timely and accurate diagnosis, allowing doctors to design treatment strategies that are precisely tailored to each patient’s cancer type and genetic profile.

Patients will have access to a full range of evidence-based therapies, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplantation. Each treatment plan is tailored to optimize outcomes while minimizing side effects and ensuring care that is both effective and compassionate.

Recognizing that cancer care extends beyond medical treatment, the program also provides integrated supportive services, including transfusion support, infection control, and nutritional guidance. These services are crucial for enhancing overall well-being, managing complications, and supporting patients throughout their recovery journey.

Mandaluyong City and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) launched a community drive against dengue, convening a lay forum under the banner of Project E-CODE (Empowering Communities for a Dengue-Ready Philippines).

With the Department of Health (DOH) logging over 100,000 dengue cases in the first half of the year, the city health officials are intensifying the fight against the mosquito-borne illness.

This community-based public health event was organized specifically to raise awareness and encourage active, grassroots participation in prevention and control efforts.

According to Edmond Deo Cuaresma, Policy Officer for ULAP, the goal of the lay forum is to target prevention efforts at the grassroots level by completing a three-pronged strategy.

‘There’s one for dengue experts, for the doctors. There’s also the Dengue Integrated Program for the healthcare workers and this one, the lay forum, which is for our local officials or barangay officials,’ Cuaresma told the BusinessMirror. ‘This ensures there’s a community-based approach to really having dengue prevention and awareness for different levels.’

The local government echoed this focus, stressing that community knowledge is vital to reducing the healthcare burden. Dr. Arnold Abalos, City Health Officer of Mandaluyong, emphasized that a refresher is needed to tackle the ongoing threat.

‘It’s more of a refreshment and reiteration to the community, to the barangay level, that this is a real threat and it is something serious and it should be addressed,’ Dr. Abalos said.

He noted that while the national target is to achieve zero dengue cases by 2030, the immediate plan is to ‘make the cases lower as much as possible.’

Key takeaways

During the lay forum, a discussion was led by Dr. Alexis Milan, a Pediatric Critical Care Specialist and resource speaker, whose informative session focused on empowering attendees with life-saving dengue prevention strategies.

Dr. Milan’s presentation covered essential topics such as debunking common myths and misconceptions about the disease, discussing unfamiliar facts about dengue, explaining the symptoms and proper management, and detailing practical, community-friendly ways to prevent its spread.

This community education aligns with a reinforced national campaign, as Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita ‘Menchie’ Abalos highlighted the Department of Health’s intensified focus.

‘Ngayong taon, inilunsad ng Department of Health ang mas pinaigting na kampanya na tinawag na ‘Dengue Free Philippines 2025′ na nakatuon sa pagpapalawak ng surveillance system gamit ang digital reporting tools, pagpapalaganap ng active guidelines ng critical management ng Dengue, [at] pagpapalakas ng community education,’ Abalos stated.

[‘This year, the Department of Health launched an intensified campaign called ‘Dengue Free Philippines 2025′ that is focused on expanding the surveillance system using digital reporting tools, disseminating active guidelines for the critical management of Dengue, [and] strengthening community education,’ Abalos stated.]

She emphasized that the campaign centers on the ‘4S Strategy’ for Dengue prevention: Search and Destroy mosquito breeding sites, Secure Self-Protection measures, Seek Early Consultation for symptoms, and Support fogging only in hotspot areas.

Dr. Lester Tan, Regional Director of the DOH-NCR Metro Manila Center for Health Development, provided a deeper explanation of the first step strategy, Search and Destroy, by introducing the complementary ‘4Ts of Dengue’ approach, often used at the barangay level.

‘Taob [turn upside down], Taktak [shake], Tuyot [dry], and Takip [cover]. Taob meaning turnover the container, taktak is empty the contents, and tuyo is to dry these containers, and takip is to cover these containers so we would not have mosquito breeding sites.’

Project E-CODE

The event received support from key partners, including Takeda Healthcare Philippines Inc., the lead partner for Project E-CODE (Empowering Communities for a Dengue-Ready Philippines).

Estela ‘Tattie’ Del Rosario, Takeda Philippines’ Public Affairs and Communications Head, highlighted the company’s commitment to mitigating the severity of dengue through community engagement.

‘Earlier, Takeda forged a meaningful partnership with ULAP and together launched the E-CODE Project. Through the E-CODE Project, our shared vision is both simple and powerful: to raise dengue awareness and empower communities, health workers, and local leaders with the tools and knowledge to combat dengue more effectively,’ Del Rosario explained.

Demonstrating international cooperation, Dr. Fumiko Aoki, First Secretary and Health Attaché of the Embassy of Japan, was also present to express Japan’s continuous commitment to collaboration and support for improving the country’s healthcare system.

The success of the Project E-CODE lay forum, piloted in Quezon City and most recently implemented in Mandaluyong, marks the beginning of a larger campaign. Takeda and ULAP will next roll out the program in Bohol, Cavite, and Iloilo as it expands its efforts across the Philippines.

Fortune Life Insurance Company proudly stood alongside the Alliance of Non-stock Savings and Loan Associations (ANSLI) as a Gold Sponsor in commemorating its 10th Anniversary held on September 5-6, 2025, at the Clark Marriott Hotel, Pampanga.

The two-day convention and celebration marked a decade of ANSLI’s dedicated service to its member associations and partners. Fortune Life joined the festivities through an engaging booth experience and exciting corporate giveaways, adding warmth and energy to the milestone event.

Representing Fortune Life, AVP for Corporate Communications Floreda Constantino joined ANSLI’s esteemed Board of Trustees, led by its President and Chairman of the Board, Atty. Lucas Managuelod (Ret.), FICD for a commemorative photo opportunity, symbolizing the enduring partnership between both organizations.

Fortune Life reaffirms its commitment to supporting associations, such as ANSLI, that uplift lives and promote financial security. We look forward to deepening our collaboration and continuing to serve communities with dedication and purpose.

Fortune Life is part of the ALC Group of Companies, founded by the late Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua.

THE Shareholders Association of the Philippines (Sharephil) has partnered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), among other organizations, to launch a project the group expects would equip retail investors and shareholders with tools to make informed investment decisions.

In a ceremony held last Wednesday, Sharephil officers turned over the first batch of its educational videos to SEC Chairman and CEO Francis E. Lim. They also signed a memorandum of understanding with representatives of partner groups. The goal of the project is to have a digital library for the SEC to educate the public.

The partners include the Capital Markets Development Foundation Inc., the Finex Research and Development Foundation, the Philippine Stock Exchange, the Management Association of the Philippines, the Philippine Institute of Certified Accountants and the Junior Achievement of the Philippines Inc.

Citing a study by the Boston Consulting Group, Sharephil President Conrado F. Bate said the number of mass affluent Filipinos, or those at least $100,000 or around P5.8 million in wealth, is expected to almost double to 48 million, with GDP-per-capita reaching around $6,500, by 2030.

‘This means millions more Filipinos will soon have the savings and appetite to invest. And with the right knowledge and values, Filipinos can turn this opportunity into lasting success,’ Bate said. ‘Our goal is simple: to give every Filipino access to high-quality, easy-to-understand materials that guide them on their investing journey.’

The digital library will contain a collection of educational videos and short reels that explain investing concepts in a clear and practical manner. Topics of the videos include getting started with investing, understanding equities and building a future ready portfolio.

The videos are designed especially for self-directed investors and young professionals who want to take control of their financial future with trustworthy guidance.

‘The library is not just about the basics; it’s also about building good investing habits like patience, discipline, and a long-term mindset. It will be a living resource, continuously updated so it remains relevant and accessible to anyone, anytime,’ Bate said.

Lim expressed he’s ‘personally excited that Congress is now looking at bills to make financial literacy a mandatory subject for our high schools or college students.’

The latter, he added, is his ‘personal advocacy back in my PSE days.’

‘As SEC chair, I will wholeheartedly support this initiative. Just imagine: a whole generation growing up fluent in the language of savings, investing, and planning for the future,’ Lim said.

A new law will speed up crucial infrastructure projects and ensure fair compensation for landowners. I, thus, welcome President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signing of Republic Act No. 10752, or the Right-of-Way (ARROW) Act, into law.

Another game-changer after the North-South Commuter Railway, the legislation is designed to streamline the government’s acquisition of private land for public use. This process has historically been fraught with delays, disputes and legal challenges. We need a comprehensive law to reform existing regulations.

The ARROW Act represents a significant overhaul of right-of-way (ROW) acquisition policies. For years, infrastructure projects, from highways to power lines, have been stalled by complex land negotiations, litigation and disputes over property valuation.

With the new law in place, we have a clearer, more efficient framework that balances the public’s need for infrastructure development with the private property rights of citizens. It applies to a wide range of national government projects and public service facilities, including electricity, water, telecommunications and transportation.

It also introduces key reforms to prevent project delays and ensure a more transparent and equitable process.

Before any land acquisition can begin, the new law requires implementing agencies to create a Right-of-Way Action Plan (RAP). The plan serves as a proactive measure, ensuring agencies have a comprehensive understanding of a project’s impact and are prepared to provide fair compensation and relocation. The plan must include a detailed census of affected people, an inventory of their assets, estimated costs and a clear implementation schedule.

The law also addresses the long-standing issue of property valuation in which land compensation is based on the standardized system established by the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RA 12001).

This ensures landowners receive a fair price for their property through a transparent valuation system. If an approved schedule of market values is not yet available, the offer will be based on the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) zonal valuation and the assessed value of improvements. The law outlines specific documentation requirements to ensure legitimate claims for untitled lands are recognized.

The ARROW Act amends the process for eminent domain, which is the government’s right to take private property for public use with just compensation. To prevent delays in expropriation proceedings, implementing agencies should deposit 15 percent of the land’s market value with the court when filing a complaint.

The deposit includes 100 percent of the replacement cost for improvements and 15 percent of the market value of crops and trees, providing immediate and substantial compensation to affected landowners.

The law takes a firm stance against legal obstacles designed to halt progress. It prohibits lower courts from issuing temporary restraining orders (TROs) on government infrastructure projects, a measure that directly addresses one of the most common causes of project delays. The prohibition ensures that critical public works can proceed without being held up by protracted legal battles.

For informal settlers, the law mandates better coordination between the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) and local government units (LGUs) in establishing and developing resettlement sites. This ensures that displaced residents have a structured and dignified path to relocation.

The new law extends its reach to private entities and holds them accountable for violations, with their officers potentially facing civil or criminal penalties. For public-private partnership (PPP) projects, ROW acquisition will be in accordance with the PPP Code of the Philippines of 2023 and its implementing rules and regulations.

The ARROW Act represents a significant step forward in modernizing and streamlining the process of infrastructure development. By expanding the number of government agencies involved in preparing the implementing rules and regulations, the law ensures a more coordinated approach to land acquisition.

The inclusion of key agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of Environment and Natural Resources, will lead to a more holistic framework. It institutionalizes reforms that will prevent legal disputes and cost overruns while protecting the rights of landowners.

The law provides a clearer and more transparent process for balancing the government’s need to build essential public infrastructure with the protection of private property rights. This, in turn, will help facilitate crucial economic and social progress for the nation.

THE government could earn at least P200 million by auctioning the 13 smuggled luxury vehicles owned by contractors Sarah C. Discaya and Pacifico ‘Curlee’ F. Discaya, seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

The vehicles, which were issued Warrants of Seizure and Detention (WSDs), are now in the custody of the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

They were transported to the BOC compound in South Harbor, Port Area, early Wednesday morning, after establishing sufficient grounds for seizure due to irregularities in their importation and documentation.

In a media viewing on Wednesday afternoon, Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno explained that if the Discayas fail to prove that the vehicles have valid documents and that proper duties and taxes were paid, the vehicles will be forfeited and will go to the government.

Once forfeited, Nepomuceno said the government could auction, destroy or donate the vehicles.

However, he said that the BOC will not destroy the vehicles since it will just be a waste of what the government could earn. Donating them to government agencies would be inappropriate, he added. We will make sure that if an auction is conducted, it will be transparent and competitive so that the collection of the government from those vehicles will be used for the government’s programs, Nepomuceno said in Filipino.

The 13 seized vehicles have a combined market value of P290 million. The costs would be based on current appraisals and depreciation of the vehicles, which should not exceed 10 percent.

The government could raise a minimum of P200 million to P220 million from selling the smuggled vehicles, Nepomuceno said.

Aside from losing their high-end cars, the Discayas also have tax liabilities due to the illegal entry of the vehicles into the country’s ports.

Nepomuceno said the rule of thumb in taxing luxury vehicles is to multiply the cost by one and a half.

For example, if a luxury car is priced at P30 million, then the Discayas would have to pay another P45 million by ways of taxes and duties, Nepomuceno said. If the vehicles were auctioned, the taxes would not be included, he added.

On how soon the auction will be, he said the BOC will do it as soon as possible. Nepomuceno added that the process will still go through checks and balances and will have to be approved by the Secretary of Finance before proceeding with the auction.

The Discaya family will still be given an opportunity to prove that their documents and payments are correct, he said.

The vehicles under the BOC’s custody are: Toyota Tundra; Toyota Sequoia; Rolls-Royce Cullinan; Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 AMG SUV; Mercedes-Benz G 500; Lincoln Navigator 2021; and, Bentley Bentayga. According to the BOC, these vehicles do not have import entries, lack Certificates of Payment (CPs) or have fraudulent CPs.

The Lincoln Navigator 2024, GMC Yukon Denali, Cadillac Escalade 2021, Maserati Levante Modena, GMC Yukon XL Denali and Cadillac Escalade ESV all have import entries. However, these vehicles guarded by the BOC, also lack or have fraudulent CPs.

The remaining 17 vehicles also in BOC custody are subject to transaction audit by the Post-Clearance Audit Group.

Earlier in September, the BOC conducted a search operation at the premises of the Saint Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corp. in Pasig City, owned by the Discaya family, which led to the discovery of 30 vehicles now under BOC custody.

Despite a slowdown in population growth, the Philippines’ population is expected to keep rising due to ‘population momentum,’ officials from the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) said.

‘We are slowing down in terms of our population growth rate. But because of a large population base from previous years, driven by high growth rates in the past, this phenomenon is what we call population momentum,’ CPD Division Chief Mylin Mirasol C. Quiray said during a press conference organized by Bayer Philippines Inc. and UNFPA Philippines.

She said that even with the fertility rate now at 1.9, which is below the replacement level of two, the total population will continue to increase because those already born will mature, have children, and add to the population.

Dr. Corazon M. Raymundo, president of the Forum for Family Planning and Development, echoed Quiray’s explanation, comparing population momentum to a moving car that continues to roll forward even after the brakes are applied.

Family planning

Raymundo highlighted the success of family planning programs in the Philippines, which began in the 1970s with contraceptive services and health interventions. These efforts brought down the population growth rate from three percent at that time to the current 2.1 percent, reaching what is considered the replacement level, meaning the population can sustain itself without rapid growth.

‘Technically, that term [replacement level] means we’re now able to just replace a woman with another person and the father with another person. So it’s a success,’ she emphasized, noting that this stage is what many countries aim for when implementing family planning programs.

She noted, however, that while this decline is a positive development, it also brings a new challenge: the growing proportion of young adults, often referred to as the ‘demographic dividend.’

‘When the rate of growth of the population declines, that means we really want the number of babies to be less. Or the rate of growth is really measured by the number of babies that you bear vis-à-vis the number of total population,’ Raymundo said.

‘As the number of young adults grows, they are expected to drive the economy, but only if they are provided with education, employment, and opportunities for development,’ she added.

Maximizing potential of the youth

Raymundo emphasized that the country’s focus should now shift from controlling population growth to maximizing the potential of its youth.

‘Our demographic situation has improved, but the challenge is to ensure that this larger youth population has access to education, income, and opportunities for a better life. That is our new problem; not runaway growth, but making the most of our demographic dividend,’ she said.

Based on the 2024 Census of Population, the country’s population stood at 112.7 million, up by 3.7 million from 2020. While the population continues to increase, the annual growth rate has slowed to 0.8 percent from 2020 to 2024, nearly half the 1.6 percent recorded between 2015 and 2020. This deceleration has been linked to declining fertility and birth rates, elevated mortality during the Covid-19 pandemic, and subdued migration.

However, experts cautioned that certain demographic challenges, particularly the rise of adolescent pregnancies, may undermine these gains and affect the country’s long-term human capital development.

Adolescent pregnancies

Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) data show that adolescent pregnancies among those aged 10 to 14 are on the rise again, with reported cases increasing from 2,411 in 2019, slightly dropping to 2,113 in 2020, then rising again to 2,320 in 2021. The number climbed further to 3,135 in 2022 and reached 3,343 in 2023.

By region, the highest proportions of adolescent births were recorded in Region 12 with 13.7 percent (9,501 out of 69,223 births), Region 10 also at 13.7 percent (10,895 out of 79,551), and Region 9 with 12.6 percent (6,987 out of 55,313).

Meanwhile, the Cordillera Administrative Region posted 8.4 percent (2,146 out of 25,447), Region 4A had 8.2 percent (17,764 out of 217,906), and the National Capital Region recorded the lowest proportion at 7 percent (11,551 out of 164,002).

CPD pushes teen health measures

Quiray pointed to social, cultural, and educational gaps as drivers of adolescent pregnancies, citing the lack of open family discussions on sex, cases of abuse by older partners, and gender power imbalances.

She also emphasized the lack of comprehensive reproductive health education, with many adolescents turning to social media as their main source of information.

‘That’s why we are engaging micro-influencers and focusing on online platforms, because that’s where young people are,’ she said.

She said findings from the Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study show that increased exposure to online pornography has further complicated the issue, underscoring the need for stronger legislation.

‘That’s why we are advocating for the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill to be passed in the 20th Congress,’ Quiray emphasized, noting that it was filed by Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Rico to strengthen existing measures.

Comprehensive approach

Quiray said addressing adolescent pregnancy requires a comprehensive approach. This includes reproductive health education, greater access to health information and services, protection from abuse and violence, and socioeconomic support for young mothers to prevent repeat pregnancies.

She also emphasized that young people must be empowered to participate in policymaking, describing them as ‘the voice of the voiceless.’

To further raise awareness, Quiray cited ongoing efforts to promote reproductive health through platforms such as ‘I Choose,’ and Malayaako.ph.

‘Policies and education are really key to preventing adolescent pregnancy and addressing its costs,’ she said.

She added that local government units play a critical role, stressing that programs, budgets, and policies at the community level are essential to sustain adolescent health and development initiatives.

‘Social media shapes contraceptive choices’

In 2024, Bayer Philippines and the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) conducted the ‘Digital Conversion Study’ (DCS), which found that social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok play a significant role in shaping contraceptive choices among Filipinos.

The study also revealed that respondents preferred digital materials presented in engaging formats, featuring real individuals sharing factual information about various family planning and contraceptive methods.

Building on these findings, Bayer Philippines and UNFPA recently launched the 2025 initiative, ‘Building Adolescent Peer Champions for SRHR,’ aimed at empowering young people to advocate for positive attitudes toward sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

The program trains both adolescent and adult social media influencers in SRHR communication and provides mentorship for content creation. Adult champions, including parents and community leaders from Pasig and Navotas, will also participate in workshops to support and amplify the campaign’s message.