Naga reduces teen births through collaboration

By Jason B. Neola

(THIS report, originally entitled “Turning Vision into Action: Naga City’s Bold Steps Towards Zero-Teen Pregnancies,” was delivered by Mayor Nelson S. Legacion during the TCI Conference via a webinar. The report highlights, among other initiatives, the city’s strategic focus on Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) strategies, which aim to influence knowledge, attitudes, norms, beliefs, and behaviours to promote healthier practices and long-term social change – Editor)

In 2021, Naga City formally partnered with The Challenge Initiative – Philippines (TCI), a global platform co-managed by the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health.

Through this collaboration, the city established the City Leadership Team (CLT), with the City Population and Nutrition Office designated as the TCI Lead Coordinator. This leadership body played a pivotal role in facilitating, coordinating, and implementing Family Planning (FP) and Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health (AYSRH) initiatives across the city.

In direct response to pressing challenges, Naga City adopted High Impact Interventions (HII), which it successfully rolled out as a committed partner of TCI.

Programs such as Parent-Teen Talks, Hearts and Minds Seminars, KATROPANG Bagito, You-for-You, Usapang ASRH, Usapang Batang Ina, and Batang Ama are regularly conducted in local communities.

These interventions are designed to engage not only adolescents but also parents, caregivers, and peer groups to strengthen knowledge and attitudes around sexual and reproductive health.

Since joining TCI, Naga City—home to a population of 209,179—has built a self-reliant and sustainable model for AYSRH and FP services. The city’s funding allocation rose from P2.2 million in 2023 to P5.1 million in 2024, enabling the expansion of teen hubs, training for health personnel, contraceptive distribution, and capacity-building activities for frontline service providers.

The results have been both substantial and inspiring. By the end of 2023, the city’s Adolescent Birth Rate (ABR) dropped to 71. In 2024, it declined further to just 20—far below the national target of 37. In tandem, adolescent repeat pregnancies were reduced from 38 in 2023 to 20 in 2024, demonstrating the effectiveness of the city’s data-driven and community-owned approach.

Despite a slight dip following 2022, the city’s modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (mCPR) has remained consistently above the national average. This sustained trend is a clear indication that family planning and adolescent health programs are delivering meaningful, long-term results.

In his presentation, Mayor Legacion highlighted the following approaches and strategies that also underscored the city government’s collaboration with concerned institutions.

While Naga City is known for good governance, limited local resources necessitated partnerships. The collaboration with TCI provided crucial support for capability-building among health workers, service providers, and local leaders.

Youth engagement as essential aspect. Since AYSRH issues directly impact the youth, their full participation in programs and planning is vital for relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability.

The importance of community ownership. No intervention can succeed without community “buy-in.” As bridging leaders, we emphasize co-ownership, empowering communities not just as beneficiaries, but as active partners in the solution.

Legacion said that the gains that the city achieved would not have been possible without strong partnerships as the city recognizes the support of national agencies such as the Department of Education, Department of Health, National Youth Commission, and the Commission on Population and Development, as well as the 27 barangay governments of Naga City and the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation.

Most importantly, Legacion said in his report, that the city expressed its heartfelt gratitude to The Challenge Initiative (TCI), through the Zuellig Family Foundation, for their continued technical and strategic assistance.

“As we look ahead, let us sustain our collective efforts and carry forward these High Impact Interventions. Through continued collaboration among educators, health workers, policymakers, and community leaders—and with a commitment to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), adolescent-friendly health services, and inclusive engagement—we can further reduce teen pregnancies and create a better future for Naga’s youth. Let us work together for their health, their empowerment, and a brighter tomorrow,” the city mayor concluded.

CPNO Assistant Dept. Head Joy F. Macaraig leads the conduct of “Usapang ASRH ( Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health) with teen mother of Azucena Street, Barangay Calauag.