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Senate action on prevention bill pushed amid alarming rise in teenage pregnancies

VANESSA-UNSPLASH

THE Commission on Population and Development (CPD) has flagged rising incidence of adolescent pregnancies, particularly those under 15 years old, urging the Senate a teenage pregnancy bill.

The live births among minors aged 10-14 are at an alarming state “that needs a more responsive policy,” it said in a statement on Wednesday evening.

It said the number of live births among “very young adolescent mothers” under 15 rose by 6.6% to 3,343 in 2023 from 2,411 a year earlier.

Repeat pregnancies also remain an issue, the CPD said, noting that in 2023, 38 young girls under 15 have experienced it, while 17 women have had five and more live births before they turned 20 years old, it added.

The problem calls for a “comprehensive, age-sensitive sexuality education to address the issue,” Undersecretary Lisa Grace S. Bersales said.

“Our emphasis is on protection from abuse and equipping adolescents with life skills to make informed decisions.”

“Given the significant increase of live births among adolescent girls aged 10-14 and the life-long and serious implications on their wellbeing and to the country,” the CPD said.

It called on senators to pass the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill, which remains under interpellation.

The measure pushes for a national program and seeks the creation of a Comprehensive Sexuality Education curriculum in schools.

The curriculum would tackle topics such as human sexuality, informed consent, adolescent reproductive health, effective contraceptive use, disease prevention, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), gender sensitivity, gender equality and equity, teen dating, gender-based violence, sexual abuse and exploitation, peer pressure, women’s and children’s rights, issues like pornography, among others, according to the bill.

“The purpose of which is to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and values to make informed and responsible choices about their sexual and social relationships,” the bill also read.

“We call for urgent action on this issue given that it affects the health and well-being of this segment of the population, who will be the future workforce of the country,” Ms. Bersales said.

“This will significantly impact on the gains from demographic dividend, a condition where the country gains traction for economic growth, since the population is mostly made up of working ages 15-64,” she added. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

PhilHealth amends confinement rule

FREEPIK

THE PHILIPPINE Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has done away with a policy that requires patients who experience life-threatening medical emergencies to be confined in a hospital for 24 hours before qualifying for the agency’s health benefits.

“We also cover outpatient emergency care benefit for more comprehensive financial protection against the unexpected,” PhilHealth Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. told a Senate health and demography hearing on Thursday, citing the Jan. 1 PhilHealth Circular No. 2024-0033 issued by the agency.

“For life-threatening medical emergencies not requiring hospitalization beyond 24-hours, our members can count on PhilHealth.”

The agency’s outpatient emergency care benefit package also includes coverage for cases such as dizziness, diarrhea, persistent vomiting, elevated blood pressure, provided the health facility is accredited by PhilHealth.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday ordered the Department of Health to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of services by PhilHealth after it was given zero subsidy. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Jobs growth still too weak — ILO

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EMPLOYMENT growth remains too weak to significantly impact persistent decent work deficits, an International Labour Organization (ILO) report found.

While employment growth remains steady, various factors are testing the resilience of labor markets worldwide, the World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2025 report, released on Thursday, read.

“Decent work and productive employment are essential for achieving social justice and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo said in a statement.

“To avoid exacerbating already strained social cohesion, escalating climate impacts, and surging debt, we must act now to tackle labor market challenges and create a fairer, more sustainable future,” he added.

In 2024, global employment grew alongside the expanding labor force, maintaining the global unemployment rate at a steady 5%, consistent with the level recorded in 2023, the ILO noted.

However, this growth remains insufficient to address persistent decent work deficits as young workers continue to face high unemployment rates, around 12.6%, with little sign of improvement, it added.

The global economy is projected to slow down, hindering a stronger labor market recovery. Economic growth was at 3.2% in 2024, down from 3.3% in 2023 and 3.6% in 2022.

The weakening economic growth contributed to stagnating wage growth as real wages in most countries have not rebounded yet from the pitfalls of the pandemic years and the inflationary episode that followed, the report noted.

Compounding these challenges, labor force participation has slightly also declined, particularly in low-income countries, which has weighed on employment growth.

Persistent gender gaps in participation also remain a significant barrier, with women facing greater obstacles to entering the workforce compared to men.

The global jobs gap, which measures the overall number of missing jobs, stood at 402.4 million in 2024. This includes the unemployed, discouraged workers, and those unable to work due to care obligations.

Working poverty persists, especially in low-income countries, with 240 million workers experiencing extreme poverty, the report found.

Informality also persists, with over half the global workforce lacking adequate social security and legal protection.

A major bottleneck in expanding decent work opportunities is slowing productivity growth, which has fallen by half a percentage point from the pre-pandemic long-term average.

OPPORTUNITIES AND SOLUTIONS
To address the challenges, the report urged an increase in productivity by investing in skills training, education and infrastructure to support economic growth and job creation.

It added expanding social protection to provide better access to social security and safe working conditions to reduce inequality.

Lastly, the report emphasized the importance of effectively utilizing private funds, highlighting how low-income countries can leverage remittances and diaspora contributions to drive local development initiatives.

Meanwhile, the green transition is opening new opportunities for decent jobs, driven by increased investments in renewable energy and sustainable industries, the report said.

Investments in green energy and mobility created new job opportunities with an additional 16.2 million jobs, mostly concentrated in East Asia.

“However, job creation in renewable energy production is unequally distributed around the globe. Almost half of new green job opportunities have been in Eastern Asia; there have been few decent work benefits in other developing and emerging economies.”

The report also emphasized the need for innovative solutions to accelerate progress towards social justice and the SDGs of the United Nations.

It called for addressing bottlenecks in structural transformation, reducing spatial inequalities and ensuring that new technologies boost productivity growth.

Furthermore, providing skills and education to young people is essential for their successful participation in the labor market.

The report also emphasized that decent work and productive employment remain the cornerstones of achieving the SDGs by 2030. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

DHSUD resolves all 2024 cases

DHSUD

THE DEPARTMENT of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said it has garnered a 100% resolution rate in addressing complaints in 2024.

The agency received a total of 758 concerns from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2024 and was able to deal with the majority of the cases within the 72-hour period, according to a report from the Office of the President’s 8888 Citizen’s Complaint Center (CCC).

DHSUD also recorded a 98.55% rate for the 72-hour compliance period.

Of all the cases handled, 255 were related to private developers, while 245 complaints were about homeowners’ associations, DHSUD said in a statement.

Only 11 cases were not addressed within the three-day period, it noted.

“This shall serve as an inspiration for all of us to strive better. Let us keep improving the high quality and quick services to Filipinos,” DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar said in a statement.

In the first half of the year, the agency also recorded a 100% resolution rate, addressing most of the 433 concerns received from January to July.

The 8888-CCC complaints are being handled by the agency’s Strategic Communications and Public Affairs Service, in collaboration with its PASPAS Serbisyo Aksyon Officers, as well as its regional offices. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Bill reforming DND filed

A BILL seeking to modernize the Philippine defense establishment by overhauling the mandate and authority of the Department of National Defense (DND) was filed at the House of Representatives last month.

Laws governing the DND and the military were promulgated in the 1930s, according to House Bill (HB) No. 11208. “The statutes that govern these agencies, however, were promulgated way back from the Commonwealth.”

“It is incumbent upon this Chamber to provide the legislative basis for a comprehensive national defense policy reflective of the current security situation in both the regional and the international stage,” according to the bill’s explanatory note, which was filed by Batangas Rep. Gerville R. Luistro on Dec. 16.

The government is currently modernizing its military assets and defense capabilities amid Chinese incursions into Philippine maritime waters.

“The defense establishment shall be maintained to maximize its effectiveness for guarding against external and internal threats to national peace and security,” the bill stated.

The DND should formulate the country’s defense policies, strategies, plans, and programs for the sake of preserving Philippine sovereignty, according to the bill.

It should also craft a self-reliant defense posture to “guarantee the enhancement of responsive and progressive capabilities and maximum utilization of resources.”

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in Oct. 2024 signed into law a measure requiring the government to pursue a defense posture reliant on local manufacturers to enable the country to develop technologies capable of countering “unconventional threats.”

The Defense department should also implement Manila’s military treaties and security commitments with other countries, according to HB No. 11208.

“The [DND] is hereby authorized to enter into, make, perform, and carry out contracts of every class, kind, and description which are necessary or incidental to the performance of its mandate… with any person, firm or corporation, public or private, and with foreign government entities,” the bill stated.

The purchasing of military equipment would also be exempted from procurement laws “when the acquisition… involves special defense equipment.”

“All acquisition of defense materiel by the Department and its bureaus shall be exempt from import and other licenses imposed by other agencies of the government,” it added. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

SEC opens Laoag City office

BAGUIO CITY — The Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) first extension office in Northwestern Luzon has opened in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

Governor Matthew J. Marcos Manotoc and SEC Chairperson Emilio B. Aquino, both emphasized during the opening “the importance (of the office) in further boosting the economic performance of the provinces (in the area).”

The SEC Laoag extension office, located on the 5th floor of the Dap-Ayan Commercial Center, will accommodate the registration, compliance processes, and other SEC-related transactions of businesses across Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan, ensuring the timely and efficient delivery of services.

It will also facilitate the Commission’s investor protection and education programs to safeguard businesses against scams and other fraudulent schemes. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Baguio, Benguet power rates dip in January

BENECO FB PAGE

BAGUIO CITY — Power rates in Baguio City and Benguet province dipped this January, the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) said.

BENECO’s January 2025 rate of P10.7718 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is lesser by P0.2025 compared to P10.9743/kWh in December.

This led to a total of P1,077.18 for households that consumed 100 kWh.

Fraiser P. Angayen, Non-Network Services Department manager at BENECO, explained that the lower rates were due to the reduction of the power cost that the cooperative purchased from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

The power purchased from WESM represents 12.09% of BENECO’s total power requirement as the bulk of the power supply, which is 87.37%, comes from Limay Power Inc. (LPI).

The LPI is the electric cooperative’s major power supplier while the WESM is the country’s spot market for power supply.

“The decrease in coal price in the global market had a bigger impact in our generation rate, despite the noted increase in foreign exchange rate,” Mr. Angayen further explained.

According also to Mr. Angayen, the cost of power purchased from WESM and LPI compose the blended generation rate of BENECO that is passed on to consumers every month as generation cost.

“Had we bought all our power supply from the WESM, our generation rate could have been less than P4 per kWh since the spot market prices were low for the period,” Melchor S. Licoben, general manager explained, noting that buying all power requirements from the WESM would not be possible in view of the Emergency Power Supply Agreement with LPI.

Mr. Licoben further stressed, “Ideally, bilateral contracts are better to ensure a continuous and stable supply of electricity. The prices this month at WESM could be cheaper but in the long run, the prices could increase.”  He added, “WESM is a volatile market that cannot guarantee a stable power supply. Relying on the WESM as a source of power supply will be risky.”

He further noted that WESM is there to stabilize supply whenever imbalances in the grid emerge. “But we are not sure of the power cost,” Mr. Licoben said. — Artemio A. Dumlao

PDEA-12 arrests 3 drug peddlers

COTABATO CITY — Three drug peddlers, long wanted for distributing narcotics near school campuses and in far-flung farming enclaves, were arrested in an entrapment operation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-12 (PDEA-12) in Tacurong City on Wednesday.

Benjamin C. Recites III, director of the PDEA-12, told reporters on Thursday that the now-detained suspects, one of them a woman, will be prosecuted for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Mr. Recites said the suspects yielded peacefully when they sensed that they had sold P680,000 worth of crystal meth (shabu) to non-uniformed PDEA-12 agents and policemen during a tradeoff along a stretch of a highway in Barangay Poblacion in Tacurong City.

Mr. Recites said their agents involved in the operation found out that all three suspects were residents of a town in Maguindanao del Norte, close to Cotabato City.

Barangay officials in their hometown told reporters all three suspects distributed shabu to retailers operating near school campuses and in interior areas in towns in Maguindanao del Norte. — John Felix M. Unson

Iga Swiatek leads top seeds into third round of Australian Open

IGA SWIATEK — AUSOPEN.COM

MELBOURNE — Second-seed Iga Swiatek waltzed into the third round of the Australian Open on Thursday with fellow Grand Slam champions Emma Raducanu and Elena Rybakina also winners on a bright and sunny day at Melbourne Park.

A day after intermittent rain dampened the spirits, five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek shot out of the blocks on Rod Laver Arena to crush Rebecca Sramkova 6-0, 6-2 and set up a clash with Raducanu.

“I felt pretty confident, and I started the match well so I just kept going,” said Swiatek. “It was good to play in such an efficient way and just finish it quick.”

Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina overcame a second-set wobble to beat 17-year-old American wildcard Iva Jovic 6-0, 6-3, the second teenager she has sent packing from the tournament.

Raducanu, who has struggled with a string of injuries since her 2021 US Open triumph, required an off-court medical timeout for an apparent left hip issue at 0-3 in the second set against Amanda Anisimova, before seeing off the American 6-3, 7-5.

“I’m very happy,” said Raducanu. “I thought I played really well in some big moments in that match.”

On the men’s side, fourth-seed Taylor Fritz romped past qualifier Cristian Garin 6-2, 6-1, 6-0 and Ben Shelton took out Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-4, making three Americans in the third round with more possibly to come.

Fritz has given up only eight games in his two matches so far and will next face 38-year-old Frenchman Gael Monfils, who earned his spot in the third round with a 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(3) win over German Daniel Altmaier.

While Andre Agassi was the last American man to win the Melbourne Park title back in 2003, Australia’s wait for a homegrown men’s champion goes back to 1976.

Alex de Minaur, the eighth-seed, is their best hope of breaking that long drought this year and he kept those hopes alive by beating American qualifier Tristan Boyer 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena.

Defending men’s champion Jannik Sinner will kick off the evening session, while fellow Italians Jasmine Paolini and Matteo Berrettini feature on an action-packed fifth day at the year’s first major.

Lorenzo Musetti got the Italians off to a strong start by reaching the third round in Melbourne for the first time with a 7-6(3), 7-6(6), 6-2 victory over Denis Shapovalov.

Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, on a mission to become the first African and Arab woman to win a major, moved past Camila Osorio 7-5, 6-3 but was in tears during a medical timeout as she kept touching her chest area and coughing.

Swiatek’s fellow Pole Hubert Hurkacz was another player who needed attention as he struggled with blisters on his left foot before falling 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to Miomir Kecmanovic.

Eighth-seeded American Emma Navarro needed three sets to get past Wang Xiyu 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, while ninth-seed Daria Kasatkina powered into the next round with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Wang Yafan.

Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska, a semifinalist as a qualifier last year, thumped Danka Kovinic 6-0 6-1 to set up a clash with 2023 finalist Rybakina. — Reuters

Chris Koon joins SGA in Dubai international basketball tournament

CHRIS KOON — UAAP

FORMER Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagle Chris Koon will start his professional career with Strong Group Athletics (SGA) in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship from Jan. 24 to Feb. 2.

Mr. Koon’s addition completed SGA’s roster for its redemption tour in the bustling Middle East city following a runner-up finish last year.

A 6-foot-5 guard, Mr. Koon is coming off his final year with the Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 87 behind averages of 7.58 points, 4.17 rebounds and 1.83 assists as the once-powerhouse Ateneo program absorbed a surprising early exit at the bottom spot.

“He has good size as a wing, can shoot, can defend. I think he will be a good role player for us. And we all know he’s been well coached and comes from a great school and program, so it’s good to have him,” said head coach Charles Tiu.

The Fil-American ace will join a formidable local crew led by his Ateneo former teammate Dave Ildefonso, Rhenz Abando, Mikey Williams and Jason Brickman alongside Mr. Tiu’s College of St. Benilde players in NCAA MVP Allen Liwag, Tony Ynot and Justine Sanchez.

Reinforcing the Philippine club are American imports DeMarcus Cousins, Malachi Richardson and Terry Larrier as well as Gilas Pilipinas naturalized players Andray Blatche and Ange Kouame.

SGA, then led by Dwight Howard, swept its way through to the Dubai finale only to taste a buzzer-beating defeat to Lebanon’s Al Riyadi, 77-74. — John Bryan Ulanday

Teener Dormitorio wins gold in UCI Thailand Mountain Bike Cup

JUST like her elder sister Ariana, Lexi Dormitorio once dreamed of reaping honors for the country in the international scene one day.

That day came on Wednesday when the 16-year-old Ms. Dormitorio struck gold in the women’s junior cross-country of the 2025 UCI Thailand Mountain Bike Cup in Kanchanaburi.

There, she clocked 50 minutes and 51.914 seconds, leaving Thailand’s Pinpak Chiengsuan eating dust after the latter checked in at 59:38.765 and settled for the silver.

It was another feat the country received from a Dormitorio similar to what the elder sibling, Ariana, had done so in the past after snaring an Asian Continental Championship Under-23 gold and a Southeast Asian Games silver.

Ms. Dormitorio’s golden moments was one of the four medals copped the country in the two-day race.

It came from Thirdy Manaay, who pocketed a silver in the men’s junior cross-country, Adrian Nacario, who snatched a silver in the men’s U23 cross-country, and John Andre Aguja, who took a bronze in the men’s U23 cross-country.

Another Filipino, Justine Anastacio, was fifth in the men’s U23 cross-country. — Joey Villar

Damian Lillard puts up 30 points as Milwaukee Bucks rout Orlando

DAMIAN LILLARD scored 30 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo added 26 points and 11 boards to lead the host Milwaukee Bucks to a dominant 122-93 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis each added 14 points off the bench for Milwaukee, which won for the fifth time in six games. Brook Lopez scored 13 points and blocked five shots.

Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 22 points on 8-for-20 shooting. Wendell Carter Jr. added 12 points and 10 boards as the Magic took their fourth loss in six games. Trevelin Queen scored 13 points, Cole Anthony had 11 and Anthony Black contributed 10.

Milwaukee dominated the first quarter while building a 34-16 lead. Orlando went on a stretch of five minutes without scoring.

In the second, the Magic only got as close as 13 points before the Bucks led 62-41 at halftime.

Orlando threw up 23 3-point attempts in the half and made just four. Milwaukee was 3-for-6 from long ranger before the break, while Lillard led the Bucks with 18 points.

Milwaukee guard Andre Jackson Jr. left this game just before halftime in some clear discomfort after getting hit on his right side. After trying to warm up during the break, he was ruled out because of a right hip contusion.

In the third, it was more of the same from the Bucks, who shot 62.5% from the floor in the period and led 92-68 going into the fourth.

Lillard put his final stamp on the game at the start of the final quarter with two steals against Banchero and a deep step-back 3-pointer. That helped Milwaukee eventually get to its largest lead of 32.

Antetokounmpo had his streak of seven consecutive games of scoring over 30-plus points against the Magic come to an end when he did not play in the fourth quarter.

Still, Antetokounmpo passed Walter Davis (19,521) to move up to No. 55 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Antetokounmpo ended the night with 19,535 career points.

The Bucks clinched the four-game season series against Orlando with their third consecutive win. The teams meet again on March 8 in Milwaukee. — Reuters

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