BY: JENNIFER C. TILOS
DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 2 (PIA)--With the growing teenage pregnancy rate in the country, the Commission on Population-7 with its strategic partners will launch the U4U Teen Trail (You-for-You) project on September 6 at Silliman University, Dumaguete City.
The U4U campaign aims to deliver critical information to Filipino teens aged 10-19 to prevent teen pregnancy and reduce the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections through online and mobile platforms.
According to PopCom7 regional director Atty. Bruce Ragas the 2013 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS 4) revealed that six in 10 youths are regular internet users; more than half have social network and email accounts and 78 percent have mobile phones.
With this, Dir. Ragas said the U4U will be set up in Negros Oriental in partnership with the Gaba-an Youth Lead, Silliman University Student Government and the Integrated Provincial Health Office.
Ragas said rising teen pregnancy may increase the possibility of complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
“If not given importance, it may derail and affect the country’s progam targets with respect to the Millennium Development Goals,” director Ragas said.
The PopCom commits to partner with youth allies to help adolescents and youth avoid risky sexual and non-sexual behaviors through advocacy activities.
On September 4, PopCom7 is set to present the results of last year’s YAF study in a Kapihan sa PIA at 9:00 a.m. at Bethel Guest House, Dumaguete City.
Some 45 school principals, youth leaders, local chief executives, non-government organizations, partner government agencies and the media are expected to attend the forum to understand the value of the regional data.
The forum also aimed to serve as an insight for the stakeholders to give more importance to adolescent sexuality and reproductive health. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)