LGU family planning program budget sought

The Commission on Population (POPCOM) urged local government units (LGUs) to allocate a budget for family planning commodities, following the 1-billion reduction in the budget of the Family Health and Responsible Parenting for 2016.

“This is a very big obstruction to the implementation of the law [Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law or Republic Act 10354] and an outright denial of women’s reproductive rights by leaving women with no options and means for family planning at all,” POPCOM Executive Director Dr. Juan Antonio Perez III said.

Earlier, it was disclosed that the budget cut will affect the procurement of family planning commodities as the remaining 2.2 billion is intended for the purchase of vaccines and micronutrients, medicines, and dental supplies which already have identified beneficiaries.

Currently, the Department of Health (DOH) is looking for other sources of funds, which may include agency savings that were declared at the end of the year, as well as assistance from developmental partners.

POPCOM is now helping the health department in mobilizing the local government units.