According to a study entitled “Predictors and Timing of Early Childbearing in the Cordillera”, parents who establish clear standards for children to follow while growing up reduces the likelihood of teenage pregnancy.

On the other hand, found to have no significant effect are the family’s type of residence area (urban or rural), status in life (poor or non-poor), ethnicity (Cordilleran or non-Cordilleran), and whether the teenager is raised by both parents or by a single parent .

The findings of the study were presented by Prof. Josefina Natividad of the University of the Philippines Population Institute during the Dissemination Forum for the Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey Further Studies. Conducted on July 21, 2016, the forum was attended by representatives from various government agencies and students and teachers from secondary schools in Baguio City.

The study was commissioned by POPCOM as  an offshoot of the young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study 4 (YAFS4) conducted in 2013, which revealed that among the regions in the country, CAR has the highest teenage child-bearing rate.

To address this concern, the Cordillera Regional Development Council requested CAR DOH and POPCOM to strengthen intersectoral efforts to address the problem (RDC-CAR Resolution No. 56, s. 2014).  To further streamline operations, the RDC also directed the RSDC Subcommittee on Health, Nutrition and Responsible Parenthood (HNRP) to act as the Regional Implementation Team for the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Act of 2012 (RDC-CAR Resolution No. 44, s. 2015).  Led by the DOH, the Subcommittee is composed of government, non-government and civil society organizations.  Among its tasks is to advocate the provisions of the RPRH Act, and plan, coordinate, implement and monitor RPRH-related programs and projects, including those that address the problem on high rate of teenage pregnancies in the region.   xxx