CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - The Commission on Population and Development Region III (CPD III) joins the celebration of Family Planning Month with the theme “Usap Tayo sa Family Planning para Protektado ang Pamilyang Pilipino”.
The yearly celebration aims to increase awareness of the importance of Family Planning(FP) in preventing unintended pregnancies and promoting maternal and child health and well-being.
CPD III Regional Director Lourdes P. Nacionales said Central Luzon’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) continues to decline from 2.4 in 2017 to 1.9 in 2022, as evidenced by the latest reports from the National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS 2022).
“The various initiatives of the agency with the help of partner agencies and local government units shared in the downward trend of TFR in the Region,” Nacionales said. The current data also showed Central Luzon below the replacement fertility rate of 2.1 children per Woman of Reproductive Age (WRA).
The NDHS 2022 results also show that contraceptive use, particularly of modern methods (Modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate) in the region, is lower than the national level, and that there was a substantial increase of traditional method users.
While the region achieved its target to lower the fertility rate, CPD Region III said it remained relentless in its advocacy to inform individuals and couples to plan and space their pregnancies to attain their goals and aspirations for themselves and their families.
“We are still on the lookout for some LGUs in the region whose fertility rate is higher and those coming from the poorest of the poor areas,” Nacionales added.
The agency said it continues to assert that family planning has far-reaching implications that extend beyond personal well-being, contributing to broader economic growth, gender equality, and improved quality of life.
Aside from economic stability, which allows couples to invest more time, attention, and resources in their children, FP also contributes to education allowing parents to invest in the quality of education of their kids, equipping them with skills to thrive and contribute later to the economy.
Family Planning also enhances workforce participation and productivity, especially among women.
“When women can choose when and how many children to have, they are in a better position to pursue their professional goals, contribute to the labor market and drive economic growth,” Nacionales said.
This is supported by a 2019 nationwide study conducted by NEDA which revealed that the country, specifically Central Luzon, has a low female participation rate of only 45 percent.