Hontiveros slams advocacy group for spreading lies on teen pregnancy bill

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Senate deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros yesterday hit a children and family advocacy group for allegedly spreading lies about a proposed measure which aims to prevent pregnancy among adolescents which she principally authored.

In a press conference, Hontiveros said Project Dalisay has the right to show opposition to the proposed measure but reminded it that they should be based on evidence, and not on mere “fabrications.”

According to its website, Project Dalisay is a group which seeks to safeguard the sanctity of the Filipino family and the innocence of children by advocating for sex education that aligns with the country’s cultural, religious, and constitutional foundation.

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Hontiveros said teenage pregnancy has been a “national and social emergency” concern by the National Economic and Development Authority since 2019. The reason why she is pushing for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1979 or the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2023.

“As the author of the bill, I am both surprised and angered about what has been circulating in social media sites against the proposed measure. We all want what’s best for our children, but outright lies, misinformation, disinformation, and promoting fear can lead to more harmful decisions about our teens’ lives. They are sowing confusion,” she said.

Project Dalisay has started an online petition against the implementation of SB No. 1979, addressing its concerns to Department Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara.

The group said the bill runs counter “with the core values and beliefs upheld by many Filipino families, particularly those of Christian and Islamic faith. The CSE (Comprehensive Sexuality Education) program, as outlined by the DepEd, promotes a comprehensive approach to sexual health education, which includes topics that challenge traditional family values such as sexual orientation, gender identity, and rights related to sexual activity and reproductive health,” the group said.

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday January 15 ensured that its measures respond to the needs of the students that are “culturally sensitive” amid concerns about the implementation of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE).

Secretary Sonny Angara in a statement said that after the National Coalition for the Family and the Constitution (NCFC) expressed concern over the possible discussion of concepts like “gender fluidity” and “sexual diversity,” contraception, abortion, and non-traditional relationships under the CSE.

Angara, however, maintained that the agency listens to the sentiments of the public as regards their measures, noting that the agency is open to suggestions in relation to their efforts.

‘’We are actively collaborating with various stakeholders, including health service providers and community organizations, to ensure that our programs are effective and culturally sensitive. Our efforts include exploring models from our communities and other countries,’’ Angara said.

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday ensured that its measures respond to the needs of the students that are “culturally sensitive” amid concerns about the implementation of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE).

Secretary Sonny Angara in a statement said that after the National Coalition for the Family and the Constitution (NCFC) expressed concern over the possible discussion of concepts like “gender fluidity” and “sexual diversity,” contraception, abortion, and non-traditional relationships under the CSE.

Angara, however, maintained that the agency listens to the sentiments of the public as regards their measures, noting that the agency is open to suggestions in relation to their efforts.

‘’We are actively collaborating with various stakeholders, including health service providers and community organizations, to ensure that our programs are effective and culturally sensitive. Our efforts include exploring models from our communities and other countries,’’ Angara said.

“The program introduces concepts like ‘gender fluidity’ and ‘sexual diversity’, suggesting that people can choose their sexual identity beyond the binary of male and female. It also emphasizes sexual rights, which could be interpreted as encouraging early sexual activity, and includes discussions on contraception, abortion, and non-traditional relationships,” it added.

However, the group behind Project Dalisay said the CSE will also be integrated into the national curriculum to be enforced nationwide without consultations from various stakeholders.

It said the bill has harmful effects on teenagers as it undermines parental authority, may normalize early sexualization, promote risky behaviors, contradict constitutional values, promote homosexuality, fail to establish abstinence, and introduce age-inappropriate contents.

Hontiveros said such allegations are baseless as what was introduced in the bill is the promotion of responsible parenthood and reproductive health which is already a law.

“In short, I can confidently say: these outrageous claims from Project Dalisay were pulled from thin air. May national emergency na nga, ang inaatupag pa nila ay pananakot sa Pilipino. Enough is enough. Let us demand real education for our kids,” she added.

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Data from the Council for the Welfare of Children showed that there were 150,138 adolescent mothers recorded in 2022, of which 3,135 are aged below 15, and 147,003 were 15 to 19 years old.

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