Law preventing early pregnancy mulled

The tripartite City Council committees on health, nutrition, and health insurance, on social services, on education chaired by Councilors Maria Lourdes S. Gaane, Joyleen Mercedes Balaba, and Suzette Magtajas-Daba with Councilor Imee Rose P. Moreno thoroughly discussed the proposed ordinance introduced by Vice Mayor Jocelyn B. Rodriguez.

This proposed ordinance prevents early pregnancy and institutionalizes social protection parenthood responsibility for child and early pregnancy. During the meeting, Fr. Garry Igot, SSJV, of the archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro manifested that the roles of the parents are very important. He observed that the proposed ordinance did not emphasize the involvement of the parents who are the direct contact of the children. He said parents should also be alarmed of the situation of their children. They should have the responsibility to tell their children to know their limits. “We need massive education about the role of parents, he said.

Dr. Rachel Dilla is amenable to the proposed ordinance saying that it is more likely to institutionalize the city’s Information Service Delivery Network (ISDN) where all plans and programs for adolescents, even non-government organizations are covered.

Richmond Gajudo of Commission on Population and Development Region 10, said the region has the highest number in terms of teenage pregnancy.

He informed the body that based on the study the potential lifetime earning of P33 billion is lost in the country due to teenage pregnancy. For the teenage girl who was not able to finish her education she will earn less than P83,000 in a year compared to a person who finished his/her education at the age of 20.

Gajudo suggested ISDN as one of the members of the Adolescent Health Care Council to strengthen the ordinance. For her part, Councilor Moreno, chair of the City Council committee on women and family relations, suggested that her committee should be part of the council to be able to assist in the implementation of the ordinance.

She said Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) should also look into this matter, citing that those who understand them are the youth itself.

Councilor Moreno also emphasized that penalties for discrimination and deprived/denied of services when it comes to teenage pregnancy prevention should also be considered.

After thorough deliberation, the joint committees agreed to refer the proposed ordinance to the committee on sports and youth development chaired by Councilor John Michael Seno for further discussion.