LAOAG CITY, July 10 -- The Commission on Population Development-Ilocos Region (CPD-1) called for a stronger collaboration among government agencies, development partners and youth organizations to address issues affecting adolescents and young people.

Among the issues are reproductive health, mental well-being, responsible decision-making, gender equality and employment readiness.

By investing in the youth which comprises about 18.7 percent of the more than 5.3 million population in the Ilocos Region, CPD-1 Information Officer Mae Grace Ariola said during the Kapihan sa Ilocos on Friday that this will empower the youth to become responsible adults in the future.

While adolescent pregnancy among girls aged 15 to 19 continues to decline...