COUPLES in Central Luzon are advised by the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) to continue using family planning methods to promote maternal and child well-being.
The CPD said that the continuous use of family planning methods sustains the target fertility rate in the region.
The agency cited the latest report from the National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS 2022).
The study showed that the total fertility rate (TFR) in Central Luzon continues to decline from 2.4 in 2019 to 1.9 in 2022.
This figure is below the replacement fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman of reproductive age, CPD said.
While the region has realized its goal to lower the fertility rate, the CPD underscored the continuous monitoring of areas with higher fertility rate, and promotion of contraceptive use to prevent unintended pregnancies.
Although there was an increase of traditional method users, data from NDHS 2022 showed lower contraceptive use, particularly of the modern methods, in Central Luzon compared to the national level.
Couples are encouraged to avail of family planning services offered by the government to improve their quality of life as they can invest more time in their kids, and prepare for their future needs and education.
The CPD said that spacing and planning of pregnancies reduce health risks and promote the well-being of the mother and babies.
The agency said that it is still on the lookout for some local government units in the region whose fertility rate is higher and those coming from the poorest of the poor areas.
The CPD attributed the downward trend of Central Luzon's TFR to various initiatives of CPD and its partner-agencies which implement programs and activities that heighten awareness on the importance and benefits of family planning.