Duterte Approves National Family Planning Program

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the implementation plan for the National Program on Family Planning, which aims to distribute contraceptives and prevent unplanned pregnancies. The measure is expected to ultimately reduce poverty in the country.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the president gave his approval on the project during the 3th Cabinet meeting. National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director-General Ernesto Pernia and Commission on Population and Development Executive Director Juan Antonio Perez III presented the plan.

A better quality of life for Filipinos

In a statement confirming the approval of the National Program on Family Planning, Panelo noted that the government recognizes that not all Filipinos have access to contraceptives. Thus, there is a pressing need to help those who want to opt for family planning.

“We understand that a great majority of Filipinos favor family planning, but not all of them have access to contraceptives due to various reasons,” Panelo said.

Under the newly approved program, 11.3 million women would be given access to modern contraceptives over the next four years. This will consequently increase the usage of contraception in the country from a measly 40 percent to a more acceptable 65 percent. Furthermore, it is also expected to prevent 4 million unplanned pregnancies and 2 million abortion cases over the said period.

Panelo said that the use of effective modern contraceptives is essential for the program to succeed.

In the long run, the program aims to reduce the country’s poverty rate and promote better health and socioeconomic development among Filipinos.

“The approval of the plan is expected to reduce poverty incidence in the country, which currently has the highest fertility rate and fastest growing population in the ASEAN region, from the current 20 percent to 14 percent in 2022, ” Panelo said.

It is not yet clear when the program will be rolled out.