Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Wednesday welcomed concerns on the implementation of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and provisions of Senate Bill No. 1979 or the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2023, as he vowed to address pressing challenges among the youth including teenage pregnancy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and gender-based violence.

CSE is defined as an “age-appropriate, culturally relevant” program that aims to teach sexuality and relationships by providing learners with “scientifically accurate, realistic, and non-judgmental” data, according to DepEd.

“We acknowledge the concerns regarding the current implementation of our Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and the provisions in SBN 1979, the Teenage Pregnancy Bill,” he said in a statement.

Angara said there is an ongoing collaboration between community organizations and health service providers to ensure that DepEd programs remain “effective and culturally sensitive.”

“Nakikinig kami – noon bilang Senador at hanggang ngayon bilang inyong Kalihim. Bukas ang pintuan ng DepEd para sa inyong pahayag at mungkahi, lalo na kung may tiyak na detalye (We are listening, before as a former senator and now as your Secretary. DepEd’s doors are open to hear your opinions and suggestions, especially if you have accurate details),” he added.

Angara, however, clarified that he has not filed any version of the proposed Teenage Pregnancy Bill during his time as legislator.

Instead, Angara said he has filed a resolution to develop a comprehensive policy framework that seeks to prevent early childbearing and mitigate its impacts during his time as a chairperson of the Youth Committee in the Senate.

As education chief, Angara assured a “balanced” outlook and implementation of policies while stressing the need for a multi-sectoral approach to act on the challenges concerning the youth.

He said the DepEd remains data-driven in addressing the challenges among the youth.

“Nakatuon kami sa datos sa likod ng bawat polisiya. Kabilang na dito ang pinagdadaanan ng ating kabataan kagaya ng (We are focused on the data behind every policy. These include struggles of our youth including) teenage pregnancy, HIV, and gender-based violence,” Angara said.

“We stand at a critical time in our commitment to the health and well-being of our youth. The Department of Education recognizes our role to shape life skills, values, and behaviors.”

Angara also acknowledged the crucial role of parents’ active participation in ensuring the welfare of learners.

On Tuesday, Angara assured the public that no “inappropriate concepts” related to the CSE program will be implemented in public schools, following the viral video posted by the Project Dalisay Facebook page.

The said video expressed dismay over certain provisions of SB 1979 as well as some program features of CSE, claiming these may “hypersexualize children at a very early age.” (PNA)