As a resident of Cainta, Rizal, I have personally witnessed many of my friends' lives drastically altered due to teenage pregnancy. They were forced to halt their education and their dreams for the future were abruptly put on hold. This is an all too common scenario in our community and it's time we address this issue head-on.

The root cause of this problem lies in the lack of comprehensive sex education in our schools. Many young people are not fully informed about safe sexual practices which leads to risky behavior and unwanted pregnancies. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, one out of ten young Filipino women age 15-19 has begun childbearing (PSA 2018). This statistic is alarming and calls for immediate action.

Sex should not be stigmatized or sexualized dangerously but should be discussed openly as a natural part of life that needs guidance and understanding. The use of contraceptives like condoms should be promoted as they significantly reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancies.

Parents also play a crucial role in guiding their children about safe sex practices but they can only do so much without proper educational support from schools.

We urge the local government unit (LGU) and Department Of Education (DepEd) in Cainta, Rizal to implement comprehensive sex education programs that cover topics such as consent, contraception use, sexually transmitted diseases prevention among others.

Let's empower our youth with knowledge so they can make informed decisions about their bodies and futures. Please sign this petition if you believe that every student deserves access to comprehensive sex education.