To address the issue of teenage pregnancy among college students, College of Teacher Education (CTE) conducted a seminar on Early Pregnancy and Child-Bearing at the Teaching Arts Centrum (TAC) Auditorium yesterday.

The speaker, Dr. Michelle A. Cellona, started the seminar by presenting key facts about the issue of teenage pregnancy in the Philippines wherein according to the 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), 9% of the Filipino women aged 15-19 have begun childbearing: 7% are already mothers and 2% are pregnant with their first child.

Cellona stressed the importance of self-control, discipline, and responsibility; encouraging the students to engage in sexual activity only when they are ready and able to provide the needs and demands of a family.

“If you can manage your libido, your sexual drive, you can manage everything in life,” Cellona added.

Ms. Chery Bercede, CTE Guidance Counselor, told Ang Suga that they conducted this event because of the alarming number of cases of pregnancy among students, while also showed tendencies of depression because of family issues.

“Para ma-aware sila unsay mga risks or mga disadvantages if they would engage in sexual activity mintras estudyante pa sila. At least they would know the dos and don’ts,” Bercede added.

The seminar was attended by second year to fourth year CTE students.

Words by Lorille Mata
Photos by Retlyn Ereca Ceballos