GUIMARAS was recognized by the Commission on Population (Popcom)-Western Visayas for being one of the provinces in the region that have an outstanding population program.
Guimaras was hailed for its outstanding performance in the implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RP-FP) Program in 2020 and for its efforts in contributing to the goals and objectives of the Philippine Population Management Program in Western Visayas.
The province is among the top 3 provinces in Western Visayas with the highest number of new Family Planning (FP) acceptors generated under the provincial/highly urbanized cities (HUC) category.
It also has the most organized RPFP reporting system and was commended for its 100 percent support in RPFP encoding and prompt report submission.
Shirly Gabutin, provincial Social Welfare and Development officer, and Beneth Gabasa, Population Program Worker II of the Provincial Government of Guimaras, received the awards during the virtual awarding ceremony held during the First Quarter Regional Population Management Conference for Panay and Guimaras on January 26-27, 2021 at Seda Hotel in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
Popcom RP-FP component deals with issues related to sexual and reproductive health, including fertility and family planning concerns.
It primarily aims to help couples realize their desired timing, spacing, and number of children in accordance with their socio-economic, emotional, and psychological capacity.
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the local government units continue to prioritize their implementation of essential health services, particularly those centered on family planning, to drive awareness and heighten interest.
In compliance with the health and safety protocols, Popcom-Western Visayas conducted the said activity via face-to-face and online platform among provincial/city population officers of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Passi City, Roxas City, and Iloilo City. (PR)