Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros announced her plan to file a substitute measure for Senate Bill (SB) 1979, also known as the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill. This comes after several senators withdrew their support for the proposed legislation.
“I respect their decision and understand their considerations in withdrawing their support for this bill that seeks to address the increasing cases of teen pregnancy in the country,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
She assured the public that the substitute bill would address concerns raised by various sectors and groups. “I trust they will study it,” she added.
Senate Withdrawals and Concerns
At least seven senators informed Senate President Francis Escudero of their withdrawal of signatures on SB 1979. The bill had initially garnered 18 signatures when it was presented in March 2023 by joint committees on women, children, family relations, social justice, health, and finance.
Concerns were raised about the bill’s section on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), which aimed to normalize discussions about adolescent sexuality and reproductive health in schools. Section 6 proposed integrating CSE into the school curriculum, guided by the Department of Education (DepEd) and international standards.
Former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, representing the National Coalition for the Family and the Constitution (NCFC), expressed apprehensions about the bill. She claimed that the “international standards” referenced could align with curricula from UNESCO and the World Health Organization, which allegedly included inappropriate content for children.
Hontiveros Responds to Allegations
Hontiveros refuted Sereno’s claims, emphasizing that SB 1979 does not intend to blindly adopt international curricula.
“This doesn’t mean we will copy everything published by UNESCO or WHO. If any content is unsuitable for the Philippine context and culture, it won’t be used. That’s common sense,” Hontiveros said.
She clarified that the DepEd and relevant agencies, in consultation with stakeholders, would implement the CSE program, ensuring no foreign body dictates its content.
Reservations from Senate Leaders
Senate President Francis Escudero, Senators Joel Villanueva, and Juan Miguel Zubiri had earlier voiced their reservations about the bill.