CORDILLERA

With the region’s achievement in reducing the teenage pregnancy to its minimal level, Fortaleza said the goal of having zero teenage pregnancy by 2022 is highly attainable which will be beneficial in ensuring the good health condition of teenagers when entering their young adult years.

Fortaleza turned over the leadership of the POPCOM-Car to Magdalena Abellera in simple turnover rites administered by Commission on Population Undersecretary Juan Antonio Perez.

She will be assigned to Region III.

Fortaleza claimed one of the challenging work that will be left behind for her successor to pursue will be to help concerned government agencies and the local government find the appropriate solutions in addressing the prevalence of very young mothers and the occurrence of pregnancies among teenagers aged 10 to 14.

Last year, the health department and the POPCOM were able to document some 2,000 females aged 10 to 14 who have been pregnant that warrants the implementation of appropriate interventions to help address the said problem among young females.

Earlier, President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed Executive Order No. 71 which tasked the Commission on Population and Development to strengthen the integration of population and development in increasing the country’s potential economic growth.

The move to rename the Commission on Population and Development will strengthen the implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law which will benefit all Filipino families aside from being tasked to formulate policies on population as it relates to economic and social development.