We, the undersigned civil society organizations (CSOs), advocates, and stakeholders in child rights, youth development, women’s rights, health, and education, firmly stand united in our commitment to uphold the rights and welfare of young learners, advance evidence-based programs, promote comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), and support policies addressing teen pregnancy.
We strongly condemn the disinformation aimed to undermine CSE and block the passage of the urgently needed Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) bill (Senate Bill 1979). Rooted in bigotry and a skewed sense of morality, these attacks intentionally misrepresent facts and use sensationalism to create unwarranted fear and division among the public, particularly, the parents of our children.
These are critical times. The ongoing disinformation and fearmongering about CSE hinder the development of critical thinking among young people, keep them ignorant and vulnerable to abuse, unable to make informed and responsible decisions about their health and well-being, ruining their chances for a better future.
Young learners have the right to accurate, age- and development-appropriate, and culturally relevant information that empowers them to lead healthy, safe, and productive lives. CSE is vital in protecting young people from the risks of teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, abuse, and exploitation. It promotes respect, gender equality, healthy relationships, and responsible decision-making. Ensuring access to CSE is a matter of upholding children’s and young people’s rights and investing in their future.
We stand firm in advocating for policies and programs that prioritize their best interests.
We fully support legislators championing CSE and addressing teen pregnancy, especially the authors of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Bill now pending in the Senate. Their unwavering commitment to advancing the rights and welfare of children in the face of attacks is commendable. They have the solid backing of civil society organizations and communities across the nation.
We commend the Department of Education (DepEd) for its firm resolve in upholding the best interest of learners through the promotion and integration of CSE in the curriculum. By prioritizing students’ holistic development and well-being, DepEd is paving the way for a future where young people are truly empowered to make informed life choices and meaningfully contribute to society. We fully support DepEd’s efforts and encourage continued collaboration with stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of age- and development-appropriate, medically accurate, rights-based, and culturally-sensitive CSE.
We urge parents and guardians to be discerning about the information they encounter and share online, especially regarding CSE. The internet is rife with disinformation that sows fear and confusion. We encourage parents to base their opinions on evidence-based, credible sources. We appeal to parents to engage in open, non-judgmental, and informed discussions about health, sexuality, relationships, and values with their children. Parents play a vital role in protecting their children from the harmful effects of false narratives. An understanding, encouraging, and supportive family environment is important.
We call on all sectors — parents, educators, faith-based groups, community leaders, youth groups, advocates, and policymakers — to unite and support initiatives that protect and empower our children. Let us firmly reject fearmongering and disinformation and instead work together to build a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive, free from preventable risks and harm.
We call on President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., a staunch supporter of sexuality education and prevention of teen pregnancy to study comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) more closely before rejecting SB 1979 arbitrarily, especially in the light of the national emergency on adolescent pregnancy. Senate Bill 1979 emphasizes medically accurate, age-appropriate, and culturally sensitive education, which is critical to addressing the alarming rates of adolescent births and ensuring that young Filipinos are equipped to make informed decisions. Misinterpretations of its provisions should not detract from its urgent role in responding to this crisis.
We call on the Senate to immediately pass SB 1979!
Signed,
Organizations:
- Abante Kababayen-an
- Abra Youth Leaders Association
- Acacia Women’s Association (ACWA)
- Action Against Violence and Exploitation – ACTVE
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation Philippines
- Akbayan Women
- Aklan Peer Educators
- Aksiyon Kababaihan (BABAYI)
- Aksyon Kababaihan sa Informal Sector (AKIS)
- ALAMID Productions
- Aliona Women’s Association (AWA)
- Alliance of Concerned Students-NTC
- Alliance of Public Health Advocates
- Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino
- Anahawon Women’s Association (AWA)
- ANGAT Lahat – Malabon
- Apelo Women’s Health Association (AWHA)
- Association for the Rights of Children in South East Asia (ARCSEA)
- Association of Kabankalan City Women in the Informal Sector (AKWS)
- Association of Positive Women Advocates Inc.
- AYAT Advocacy
- Baigani
- Balila Women’s Organization (BWO)
- Barangay One Women in the Sun (BOWSOR)
- Bebito Women for Rural Advancement (BWRA)
- BUCN Alliance for Community Care, Environmental Sensitivity, and Sustainability
- Buhi Organization of Women (BOW), Inc.
- Building Youth Empowerment (BYE Manila)
- Building Youth Empowerment (BYE Tondo)
- Bukidnon Active Women’s Federation (BAWFED), Inc.
- BulSU Balangay
- Carlland Creekside Neighborhood Association (CCNA)
- Catholics for Reproductive Health (C4RH)
- Child Rights Coalition Asia
- Child Rights Network (CRN)
- ChildFund Philippines
- Community of Organized and Empowered Lesbian and Bisexual women, Queer, Transgender men, and Intersex individuals in the Philippines (CONEQT PH)
- Consuelo Foundation
- Crimson Tribe Readers
- Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP)
- Every Woman
- Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP)
- Family Planning Organization of the Philippines Davao Chapter
- Farmers Association of Malaybalay City (FAMAC)
- Filipino Freethinkers (FF)
- Floresian Youth
- GALANG Philippines, Inc.
- Gayon Albay LGBT Org., Inc.
- Guide and Advocacy Built with the Aspirations of Yahweh (GABAY), Inc.
- Guitnang Bayan Elderly Association (GBEA)
- Hubang Women’s Association (HWA)
- Ilaw Shared Community
- Iloilo Opportunity 2.0 Youth Group
- Impasugong Women’s Organization (IWO)
- Ina ng Bayan sa Sais
- Integrated Midwives Assn of the Phils (IMAP)
- Interfaith Partnership for the Promotion of Responsible Parenthood (IPPRP)
- Intersex Philippines
- Ipag Women’s Association (IWA)
- Kaagapmuco Women’s Desk
- Kababaihang Babasag sa Hamon Ng Gender Identity (KABAHAGI)
- Kababayen an Sa Barangay (KSB)
- Kabataan Community Health Advocacy Team (KACHAT)
- Kabataang FPOP
- Kapisanan ng Kabataang Periodista
- Katilingban sa Kalambuan Org Inc
- Katipunan ng mga Kababaihan Para sa Kalayaan
- Kaunlaran Kapayapaan at Katarungan para sa Kabataan (3K)
- Kibenton Women’s Association (KWA)
- Labor United and Alliances (Lab-U All)
- Likhaan Center for Women’s Health
- LILAK (Purple Action for Indigenous Women’s Rights)
- Liyaliya Women Vendors Association (LWVA)
- Lopez Women for Rural Advancement (LWRA)
- Lorena-Kaisaka NCR
- Lunas Collective
- Maco Youth Champions for Reproductive Health (MYCRH)
- Malaybalay City Indigenous People’s Organization (MACIPO)
- Malaybalay City Senior Citizens’ Association (MACSECA)
- Malaybalay Mothers’ Association (MAMA)
- Malaybalay Solo Parents Association (MASOPA)
- Médecins du Monde
- METSA FOUNDATION
- MOBO YOUTH HEALTH AND EMPOWERMENT ASSOCIATION
- Mothers Organization for Total Health Research Services (MOTHERS)
- Mujer-LGBTQ+ Organization Inc
- Mulawin Scrapper Association (MSA)
- Nagkahiosang Kababaihan Asosasyon (NKA)
- Nagkakaisang Kababaihan Ng Lourdes( NKNL)
- Nagkakaisang Kababaihan ng San Pascual (NKSP)
- National YKP Network
- NeyNest Inc.
- Northern Mindanao Against AIDS, Inc. Region 10 (NORMAA)
- Olympus Society of Davao Inc.
- Pagkakaisa ng Kababaihan para sa Kalayaan (Kaisa Ka)
- Pambansang Koalisyong ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan Youth (PKKK Youth) Mindanao
- Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK)
- Panabo City Tribal Women’s Association (PCTWA)
- Paradise Youth Organization
- Parent Mobilization Action Group (PMAG)
- Partido Mangagawa (PM)
- PETA ARTSZone
- PGH Division of Adolescent Medicine
- Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD)
- Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare, Inc
- Philippine Society of SRH Nurses (PSORHN)
- Pinagsamang Lakas ng Kababaihan, Kabataan at lahat ng Kasarian (PILAKKK)
- Pinatilan Women’s Organization (PWO)
- Pink Vibes Kabataan
- Pipeline Homeowners Assn. Inc. (PHAI)
- PKKK Youth Peer Educators-Mindanao
- Plan International Pilipinas
- PM Kabataan
- Porto Ibaba Babayi Association (PIBA)
- Potrero United Youth Organization
- PRO-Health
- Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK)
- PUP House of Parliamentary
- Res Publica
- Roots of Health
- Salinlahi Alliance for Childrens Concerns Inc.
- Samahan ng Ikauunlad ng Kabataan sa Towerville (SIKAT)
- Samahan ng Kababaehang Pangkabuhayan (SKP)
- Samahan ng Malayang Kababaihan sa Towerville (SMKT)
- Sanciangco Youth Organization
- Sandalan ng Kabataan Tonsuya
- SARILAYA
- Save the Children Philippines
- Sinekat
- Sisiman Fisherfolks Women’s Association (SFWA)
- SM Zoto
- Society of Adolescent Medicine of the Philippines Inc. (SAMPI)
- Sto. Niño Youth Council
- Tara Kabataan
- Taytay Women in the Informal Sector for Empowerment (TWISE)
- Team Dugong Bughaw, Inc.
- Teenage Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) Advocates
- Terre des Hommes Netherlands
- The Awakening Generation
- The Forum for Family Planning and Development
- The Red Whistle (TRW ORG. INC.)
- Tinig ng Kabataan Youth Organization
- Transmasculine Philippines
- TSU – Safe Space Society
- Unified Women’s Association, 176 (UWA, 176)
- United Community of Sitio Sapang Gody Youth
- UP Diliman Gender Office
- UP Office of Anti Sexual Harassment
- UPV PH PUB
- Visible Inclusion
- WomanHealth Philippines
- Women Farmers Association (WFA)
- Women Workers in the Informal Workers (WISE)
- Women Writing Women PH
- Women’s Clinic Pilipinas
- Women’s Day Off
- Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR)
- Women’s Legal and Human Rights Bureau (WLB), Inc.
- World March of Women – Pilipinas
- WVSU Vital Signs Publication
- Yellow Bells Women’s Association (YBWA)
- Young Advocates for SRHR (YAS)
- Young Feminists Collective
- Young Feminists Collective Mindanao
- Youth and Girls Advancing Liberty and Awareness (YGALA)
- Youth Claim Cebu
- Youth for Reproductive Health Awareness – Misamis Oriental
- Youth for YOUth
- Youth in Action Sorsogon
Individuals:
- Adlai Amor
- Aileen Mijares
- Ailene Balleta-Diaz
- Albert Morris Grefaldo
- Alicia Lourdes M. De Guzman
- Allan Nuñez
- Allison Atis
- Alvin Cloyd Dakis
- Angel Dezza Pesical
- Anna Grace Joy G. Onayan
- Dr. Avegail Cardinal
- Dr. Bernabe Marinduque
- Carolyn Sobritchea, PhD
- Catherine Tiongson
- Charles Miraflores
- Claudette A. Loria
- Clyde L. Almaden
- Crissar Mundin
- Debs Bartolo
- Dereck Golla
- Doreen Denorte
- Eizel Paz Hilario- Patiño
- Elaissa Mendoza
- Elena S. Felix
- Atty. Elizabeth Pangalangan
- Dr. Emma Alesna-Llanto
- Dr. Esperanza Cabral
- Faith I. Bacon
- Fe Manapat
- Franco Miguel Nodado
- Freda Dimaliwat
- Geli Calupitan
- Gessen Rocas
- Gianina Guillermo
- Dr. Gina E. Pangilinan
- Giselle Tongi-Walters
- Glorie Vi Seno
- Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan
- Jayvee Vallecer
- Jesre Mac Daryl Camince, RSW
- Joanne Zapanta-Andrada
- John Louie B. Matira
- Jojana Christine General
- Jonathan Monis
- Jose Daniel D. Melgar
- Dr. Julia Mae Yulde-Cruz
- Krissi Shaffina Twyla Rubin
- Lady Lisondra
- Leonisa Vista
- Loraine Sumaylo
- Lowell Jun Caisio
- Asst. Prof. Lucia P. Tangi
- Lucille Dagpin-Galicha
- Ma Christina Corales
- Ma Melissa Miranda-Poot
- Dr. Ma. Esel Jalandoni Bermejo
- Ma.Dolores D Delos Reyes, MD
- Maecel Cayanan
- Maisie Faith Dagapioso
- Marcy Oculto
- Marevic Parcon
- Dr. Margaret Mae Maaño
- Dr. Mary Angeli Conti-Lopez
- Prof. Nathalie Verceles
- Nenet L. Ortega
- Prescilla Tulipat
- Dr. Sylvia Estrada-Claudio
- Teresa Carpio
- Yolly Oliveros
If you want to be added as a signatory, please fill up the form: https://bit.ly/defendCSE
