Cagayan de Oro City — Northern Mindanao (Region X) has recorded a significant decline in adolescent live births, from 10.9% in 2022 to 6.4% in 2025, reflecting encouraging progress in addressing adolescent pregnancy in the region.
Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) through the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2022, Northern Mindanao recorded the highest adolescent pregnancy rate in the country among women aged 15–19, making the region a priority area for intensified and convergent interventions.
However, the latest 2025 data shows significant improvement, with Region X dropping to 7th place nationwide.
This favorable development is attributed to strengthened policies, community-based programs, and collaborative efforts among local government units (LGUs), national agencies, and development partners.
Beyond its social and health implications, the decline in adolescent live births represents an important investment in the region’s long-term development.
Lower adolescent pregnancy rates allow more young people to complete their education, improve their employment opportunities, and contribute to a more productive and competitive workforce.
It also helps reduce intergenerational poverty, improves maternal and child health outcomes, and strengthens human capital formation essential for sustaining inclusive economic growth in Northern Mindanao.
This progress supports the goals of Project 25@28, which seeks to significantly reduce adolescent pregnancies by 25% by 2028 through improved LGU systems, such as effective Reproductive Health Education (RHE), active SK-led adolescent and youth interventions, functional Teen Centers, and social protection and reintegration support, among others.
However, CPD X emphasized that the progress should not lead to complacency. While the decline is encouraging, thousands of adolescents remain affected, particularly those aged 10–14 years old whose cases continue to require urgent attention.
Adolescent pregnancy still poses serious consequences on education, health, and future productivity, making sustained intervention crucial.
The experience of Northern Mindanao demonstrates that strategic, data-driven, and collaborative approaches can produce meaningful results.
As the region moves forward with Project 25@28, stakeholders reaffirm their commitment to ensuring that every adolescent is healthy, educated, empowered, and able to contribute meaningfully to society.
The message remains clear: progress has begun, but sustaining and intensifying collective action is essential to fully realize the development potential of Northern Mindanao.
