Alarmed by the rise in teenage pregnancies in the Philippines, the Commission on Population (POPCOM) is rolling out an educational caravan to schools and barangays giving Filipino youth critical information on how to delay sexual debut, prevent teen pregnancy and avoid sexually transmitted infections (STI).

Supported by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, the caravan – called U4U – was launched at Ligao National High School in Ligao City, Albay province on January 15. Over 150 students took part in a day filled with games, songs, dances and workshops.

In a taped message, outgoing UNFPA country representative Genevieve Ah-Sue considered U4U as another way of learning critical information and skills to protect teens from poor decisions and abuses.

“Through your cellphones, the Internet, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter… through games, songs and even dances, U4U will help you discover how to make informed decisions about friendship and relationships,” Ms. Ah-Sue said.

POPCOM Executive Director Dr. Juan Antonio Perez III urged the teens to “spread the word about true friendships, wise decisions and responsible actions.”

“One of 10 teenage girls will likely get pregnant. In a public high school of about 4,000 students, that’s about 400 girls or boys who become instant teenage parents,” Dr. Perez said, citing data from the 2011 Family Health Survey of the National Statistics Office (NSO).

Albay Governor Joey Salceda committed to institute local reforms to provide Filipino teens with better services. “We have drawn up our action plans, beginning with allocating funds for the improvement of teen centers in several Albay towns.”

Also supported by the Department of Health, POPCOM plans to bring the U4U Teen Trail to as many schools and barangays as possible. The caravan features an interactive exhibit called #BakasBukas, managed by teen facilitators. Participants journeyed through the exhibit to learn about puberty, self-image, relationships, preventing pregnancy and gender-based violence, and youth advocacy.

Through structured learning exercises, participants also learned about myths and misconceptions on sex and sexuality.

Designed by a local non-government organization, the Center for Health Solutions and Innovations Philippines, Inc. (CHSI), the U4U Teen Trail caravan also serves as a promotion vehicle to introduce teens to online and mobile tools. CHSI created for POPCOM a dynamic website named u4u.ph. It also set up an interactive voice response system (IVRS), a mobile platform that provides automated information to a mobile phone texter.

“U4U was one of the best learning experiences we ever had,” said Dennis Serrano, 16, a fourth year student of LNHS.

LNHS Principal Carmelita Sinson said that “it is important to listen to what Filipino teens have to say.”

Perez cited LNHS for its impressive program on guidance counselling, including the training of students as peer educators.

The U4U event was capped off by a videoke concert that featured songs, telling a typical teenage romance from courtship to making mistakes to self-empowerment. Among U4U’s next events are in the provinces of Ifugao, Mountain Province, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and Agusan del Norte.

Photo: Commission on Population executive director Dr. Juan Antonio Perez III flashes the U4U sign at the opening ceremony of the U4U Teen Trail Initiative in Ligao City, Albay. (Courtesy of CHSI)