The government is aiming to provide 11.3 million women access to modern contraceptives under its intensified family planning program in the country.
The implementation plan for the National Program on Family Planning was tackled during a Cabinet meeting convened by President Duterte in Malacañang Monday.
“National Economic and Development Authority Director-General Secretary Ernesto Pernia and Commission on Population and Development Executive Director Juan Antonio Perez presented the Implementation Plan for the National Program on Family Planning,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said. “This plan will provide 11.3 million women access to effective modern contraceptives, and will prevent four million unintended pregnancies over the next four years,” he said.
A joint memorandum circular on revitalizing the family planning program was recently forged by NEDA, Department of Health, and the POPCOM amid the country’s growing population. The program involves bringing family planning services and information closer to the people.
Back in January 2017, Duterte signed Executive Order No. 12 tackling the “zero unmet need for modern family planning” through the strict implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act.
Under the EO, the Department of Health, Commission on Population, Department of Interior and Local Government, and other government agencies have been directed to map areas of couples with unmet need for family planning and capacitate local structures to provide modern family planning commodities and services.
These agencies must also conduct intensive community-based demand generation and referral activities within the principle of informed choice and voluntarism, and engage with civil society groups in attaining zero unmet need for family planning in their localities. These strategies must be implemented in coordination with local government agencies. (Genalyn Kabiling)
