Duterte approves intensified family planning program

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has approved the "full and intensified" implementation plan for the family planning program in the country, Malacañang announced Tuesday, March 5.

The program aims to provide 11.3 million women access to effective modern contraceptives and prevent four million unintended pregnancy over the next four years.

Duterte gave his approval after National Economic and Development Authority Director-General Ernesto Pernia and Commission on Population and Development executive director Juan Antonio Perez III presented the proposal during the 35th Cabinet meeting held on Monday, March 4, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

"We wish to inform that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, together with members of the Cabinet, approved last night, March 4, the full and intensified Implementation Plan for the National Program on Family Planning," Panelo said in a statement.

"We understand that a great majority of Filipinos favor family planning but not all of them have access to contraceptives due to various reasons. Accordingly, the government is here to respond and help those who wish to undergo family planning," he added.

Panelo said the program is expected to reduce poverty incidence in the country, which currently has the highest fertility rate and fastest growing population in Southeast Asia.

The current administration targets to bring down poverty incidence to 14 percent in 2022, when the President steps down from office, from the current 20 percent.

"The key strategy is the use of effective modern contraceptives where 11.3 million women would be given access to over the next four years. The aim is to increase the usage thereof from 40 percent to 65 percent," the Palace official said.

"This is seen to prevent four million unintended pregnancies and two million cases of abortion over the said period," he added.

Apart from poverty reduction, Panelo said the plan equally aims to "promote better health and socioeconomic development among Filipinos." (SunStar Philippines)