Manila, June 5 -- The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) is calling for urgent, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education as the country faces an alarming surge in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and adolescent pregnancies, particularly among minors.

In a press statement on Thursday, the CPD said it joins the Department of Health in sounding the alarm, citing troubling data involving Filipino youth.

"The incidence of HIV infections and adolescent pregnancy are two overlapping issues that show systemic gaps in accessing reproductive health education. Young Filipinos still lack accurate information about safe sex, HIV prevention, and contraceptive use," the CPD said in its statement.

CPD Executive D...