THE Population Commission (PopCom) in Central Luzon will be hosting a dissemination forum this September on Republic Act 10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012.

The said law provides for a national policy on responsible parenthood and reproductive health. The law, which stemmed from the strong advocacy of stakeholders and the commitment of the government, is a point for convergence of multi-sectoral efforts toward the improvement of health outcomes of the country.

It mandates the government to adequately address the needs of Filipinos on responsible parenthood and reproductive health.

The PopCom had recently attributed the lower fertility rate in the country to the said law. In the 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Filipino women's fertility rate went down to 2.7 live births last year from exactly three in 2013 since the introduction of the law and its provisions.

The survey also showed that while more women were using oral contraceptive pills and injectables, the use of Progestin Subdermal Implant was now only 1.1 percent.

The Reproductive Health Law aims to empower the Filipino people, especially women and youth, through informed choice and age- and development- appropriate education.

The supposed forum was initially scheduled on Monday, September 18, but was cancelled in lieu of Typhoon Ompong.