The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) is urging couples and parents to openly talk about family planning and reproductive health, amid a rise in the number of young mothers.

In an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon on Friday, CPD Information Management and Communications chief Mylin Mirasol Quiray encouraged parents to break the communication gap on reproductive health, pointing out that just over 10 percent of Filipino parents discuss sex with their adolescent children.

The CPD is monitoring the alarming trend among Filipino girls, particularly the hike in the number of young adolescent mothers under 15 years old.

Quiray cited as an example a case in 2023 of an eight-year-old girl giving birth.

Philippine Statistics Authority data show that there were 3,343 live births in 2023 from 2,411 live births in 2022 or an increase of 6.6 percent.

Meanwhile, Quiray promoted CPD’s online resources, including the website malayaako.ph and the Facebook page I Choose Malaya Akong Maging, which provide information on family planning and reproductive health for both parents and the youth in time for National Family Planning Month.

This year’s theme is “Pamilyang Planado, Panalo: Tara, Usap Tayo sa Family Planning” to promote discussions that help families make responsible choices.

“Sa ating mga kabataan, malaya kayong maging kung ano ang nais niyo (To our young people, you are free to be whoever you want to be). You are free to choose who you want to be. Make the right decision,” she said.

Quiray cited a Department of Health data, where more than nine million women used family planning in 2024.

Proclaimed in 1993, National Family Planning Month is observed every August to raise awareness on responsible parenthood and reproductive health. (PNA)