Health Sec opposes new teen pregnancy bill, cites existing law needs implementation

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Sunday expressed reservations about Senate Bill 1979, which aims to prevent adolescent pregnancies.

Herbosa believes that the existing Reproductive Health Law (RA 10354) needs better implementation rather than a new bill.

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros refuted Herbosa's position on Monday, stating that Senate Bill 1979 strengthens the current law and addresses the national emergency of teen pregnancy.

Hontiveros emphasized the need for adolescents to have proper information and services to protect their health, citing data showing an increase in teenage pregnancies from 2,113 in 2020 to 3,135 in 2022.

The revised bill aims to address concerns about Comprehensive Sexual Education (CSE) and has been filed to address the opposition of critics.