Teen Pregnancy Reduction Program passed on Final Reading

By: Rafael C. Mosuela, GPC-SP | Date: February 15, 2022

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The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of the Province of La Union passed Provincial Ordinance No. 237-2022, entitled:” Establishing a Program for the Reduction of Teen Pregnancy Cases and Risky Behaviors in the Province of La Union,” during the SP’s 138th regular session held last Tuesday, February 15, 2022.

The said ordinance was approved through the initiative of Board Member (BM) Anabelle S. De Guzman, with the SP Members as co-authors under the stewardship of Vice Governor Mario Eduardo Ortega; the purpose of which is to establish a comprehensive program to prevent early pregnancies among adolescents especially at the local level, and to provide access to safe and quality reproductive health care services to pregnant adolescents who needs RH services including information counseling and education on reproductive health plan and sexuality to all adolescents in the province.

BM De Guzman explained that there are various side effects of teenage pregnancy not just to the physical health of the mother and her child, but affects their social well- being as well. Further, issues arising on teenage pregnancies among constituents shall be addressed with the said ordinance.

She added that this will make the Province of La Union a dynamic partner in running the fast growing population by protecting the young women from untoward and unplanned pregnancy and equally protect and strengthen the family as a basic social institution.

Creation of a council was also in the provision of the ordinance to better achieve its purpose.

With the approval of the Body said ordinance will not only lead to the reduction of Teen Pregnancy, but also the attainment of a healthy and prosperous populace and a better quality of life of the people of the province.