Fostering Hope: Tackling Persistent Adolescent Pregnancy Challenges in San Jose De Buan, Samar
News
Adolescent pregnancy remains a tough challenge in San Jose De Buan, Samar, but the community is taking action. Last March 17–18, 2025, the town launched Module 2 of the Barangay Expanded Youth Leadership and Governance Program (BEYLGP). BEYLGP, led by the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), under the Joint Program on Accelerating the Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy in Southern Leyte and Samar (JPARAP), aims to equip community leaders with the tools and knowledge needed to combat adolescent pregnancy effectively.
The event brought together barangay officials, Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), and youth leaders from Barangays Babaclayon, Can-aponte, Poblacion 1, and Poblacion 4, and the San Jose De Buan National High School.
While the number of adolescent pregnancies dropped slightly from 30 cases in 2023 to 26 in 2024, the first quarter of 2025 has already seen 11 cases. Poblacion had 10 cases in 2023, 8 in 2024, and 1 in 2025’s first quarter. Babaclayon saw 2 cases in 2023, 1 in 2024, and 1 in early 2025, while Can-aponte recorded 2 in 2023 but none since. (Source: Municipal Health Office, San Jose De Buan)
Health leaders acknowledge the increased use of contraceptives among young people, but challenges remain. Many youth hesitate to seek healthcare, some parents struggle with conservative beliefs that prevent open discussions about sexual health, and unregulated internet access exposes adolescents to harmful content. Poverty also limits access to education and health services, making prevention efforts more challenging.
The EYLGP Module 2 training aims to build leadership among barangay youth and officials, giving them the skills to push for lasting solutions. Participants reflected on past successes, explored new ways to tackle the problem, strengthened teamwork, and created a six-month action plan to fill existing gaps.
In one of the sessions, the module used De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats to guide the discussions. Liza Pajantoy, a BHW from Barangay Can-aponte, wearing the yellow hat, and Keith Kelvin Rapanan, a senior high school student leader, wearing the red hat, found that this method helped them share ideas more openly and with purpose. He reflected, “Addressing the issue with heart and empathy means truly connecting with my peers.” Pajantoy added, “As a BHW, we need to think about how to encourage others to join the cause, especially when it comes to adolescent pregnancy in our barangay.”
The Municipal Guiding Coalition hopes to replicate the training to cover all 14 barangays and in local schools throughout the municipality. With the midterm elections approaching, they remain hopeful that the local government will continue prioritizing adolescent pregnancy prevention. By strengthening leadership and collaboration, San Jose De Buan is making meaningful progress in protecting its youth and ensuring a healthier future for the community.