ILOILO CITY, March 4 (PNA)- The city’s Population Office here recorded a rise in pregnancies among youths with ages 10 to 24 years old in coastal barangays of Molo and Arevalo districts.
The City Population Office, headed by Mary Ann Ramos, showed a total record of 2,351 teen pregnancies from January to December 2014 covering single, married and live-in status of the youths.
In January to June, a total of 1,439 youths were assessed to be pregnant covering 121 single, 349 married and 969 live-in.
The other half of the year from July to December 2014 showed a total 891 pregnancies composed of 61 single, 213 married and 617 in live-in arrangement. The record also showed 2,049 total teenage pregnancies in 2013; 2,415 in 2012; 2,035 in 2011; and 3,047 in 2010.
Ramos said the district of Arevalo posted 82 pregnancies in ages 15-19 years old and 110 in ages 0-24 years old in January to June; and 33 in 15-19 years old and 60 in 20-24 years old.
Molo II coastal barangays posted 81 pregnancies in 15-19 years old and 137 in 20-24 years old in the first half of the year and 33 teen pregnancies in 15-19 years old and 60 in 20-24 years old from July to December 2014.
Other areas also posted rise in teen pregnancies in ages 15-24 years old especially during the school summer vacation.
The city population office is currently fielding workers in the barangays for information dissemination on safe sex and the dangers of teenage pregnancies in collaboration with other non-government organizations. (PNA)