By CESAR JOLITO III

The municipality of Moises Padilla has recorded a significant decline in teenage pregnancy cases, dropping to 31st place in the latest provincial ranking, based on data from the Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO).

The latest figures mark a notable improvement for the town, which was previously among the Top 5 areas in Negros Occidental with the highest number of teenage pregnancies in the previous year.

Health officials attributed the improvement to strengthened local interventions and expanded reproductive health initiatives aimed at adolescents.

Meanwhile, the PHO introduced the Key Assistance for Developing Adolescents Network, a Department of Health program designed to establish youth-friendly spaces that provide guidance, health education and reproductive health services.

The initiative also seeks to support efforts in preventing human immunodeficiency virus infections among young people.

The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office also reported positive results in the implementation of child-focused programs.

The municipality received favorable assessments in key indicators, including child development, survival, protection, and governance, reflecting improved local compliance with child welfare standards.

However, child rights organization Quidan Kaisahan Negros Occidental, Inc. urged stronger measures to address child labor in the area, noting that poverty continues to drive some children to leave school and work in sugarcane plantations./CJ, WDJ