PopCom strengthens family planning initiatives

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO---The Commission on Population and Development (Popcom) in Central Luzon is strengthening its initiatives by providing the correct information and empowering couples on the use of family planning (FP) methods. PopCom Central Luzon Director Lourdes Nacionales shared that family planning, especially with the use of modern methods, is informed choice and volunteerism. “This is empowerment and we do not prescribe or impose these methods to couples. We are just providing them the right information,” she said, adding that correct knowledge will enable couples to make decisions to have well-managed families. Nacionales noted that Popcom’s demand generation activities are now more focused on couples in far-flung areas and lowincome families who are proven to register more unwanted pregnancies. PopCom statistics show that only about 740,489 or 23.19 percent out of three million women of reproductive age in Central Luzon are current users of family planning methods. “Family planning is very important especially at this time that our population is increasing, and we are in the middle of a pandemic. There are many benefits from family planning… it could lessen the obligation of couples, and they will have the opportunity to provide access to the right nutrition, health, and education for their children,” Nacionales said. Apart from the local government officials, local population officers, and local health officers, PopCom is also strengthening its partnership with national government agencies, civil society organizations and the private sector to promote family planning methods.