PHILIPPINES REPORTS 51% UNPLANNED PREGNANCIES; DOH PROMOTES FREE FAMILY PLANNING

The Department of Health (DOH) reported that 51 percent of pregnancies in the Philippines are unplanned, with 30 percent occurring among adolescents, prompting health officials to urge the public to use free family planning services available at public hospitals nationwide. Health experts highlighted various contraceptive options—from natural methods and short-term solutions like condoms and birth control pills, to long-term options such as injectables, IUDs, tubal ligation, and no-scalpel vasectomy—while emphasizing counseling and screening to ensure suitability. Adolescents were specifically encouraged to practice abstinence, and sexually active youths were advised to use proper contraceptives to prevent both unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Parents were urged to educate their children on reproductive health and responsible decision-making amid rising youth pregnancy cases. These initiatives aim to reduce unplanned pregnancies while promoting informed, safe, and accessible reproductive health choices for all Filipinos.