The response of the Filipinos to family planning programs is very, very slow. For the last 30 years, contraceptive use has been increasing at an average of only 1% each year.

Filipinos remain passive on family planning programs, an official from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said.

"The response (of the Filipinos to UNFPA programs) is very slow. For the past 30 years, contraceptive use has been increasing at an average of only 1% each year," Dr. Zahidul Huque, UNFPA representative said.

UNFPA data show based on the demographic and health survey result, contraceptive prevalence rate increased to 46.6% in 1998 from 15.4% in 1968, or 31% in 30 years.

The agency aims to "contribute to improving the quality of life all Filipinos through better reproductive health, the attainment of population outcomes that are in harmony which available resources and environmental conditions and the reduction of poverty and inequalities of human development opportunities."

The agency's population program for the Philippines is a balancing factor since the government is obviously not giving family planning much attention.

"According to the Philippine Country Population Assessment 2000, population program expenditures accounted for only 0.22% of the National Government Budget from 1970 to 1991," the UNFPA said in its mid-term review.

"We are willing to help the government to come up with a long - and short-term strategy (for population control), Mr. Huque said adding although the government has the responsibility to plan population control programs, it is still the responsibility of couples to create their own family plan.

"With an 80 million population, 40% of which is below poverty level, what is the prospect of having a good life unless they plan their family, the one that they can handle? He said.

Mr. Huque also said the main issue of population control in the country is the lack of informed choice and access to resources especially in remote areas since empowering couples is one of the keys to sustaining family planning programs.

"It's not about forcing anybody (to use contraceptives). It's about giving the right information, the right services, and letting the couples decide. The important thing is to make sure that everybody has access to the services, not only in the urban areas but in the remote rural areas as well," he said.

During its midterm review, UNFPA reported about 49% of the special delivery points in nine provinces are already providing basic reproductive health services of family planning, maternal health, and information on sexually transmitted disease, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and acquired immunodeficiency virus.

Moreover, 46.2% of health providers, especially midwives, have been trained in integrated reproductive health. Completion of training for all health providers is slated in the first half of 2003.

Program managers were also trained in results-based management to develop information materials for local government units.

There are also school-based and community-based information campaign and peer counseling.

A concrete example would be when members of the Commission on Population (PopCom), Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD) and Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare (PNGOC) pioneered the Local Advocacy Project (LAP) in the provinces.

Misamis Oriental Rep. Osacar Moreno, a PLCPD member, said LAP was conceptualized in 1999 by PopCom, PLCPD and PNGOC, three staunch reproductive health advocates.

While in the midst of the national advocacy campaign, these groups saw the need of bringing such advocacy to the local scene, he added.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) responded to LAP and provided technical assistance.

These groups set out into the provinces to bring reproductive health advocacy to the grassroots.

A policy environment survey was conducted to determine the kind of strategies to be employed during the eight-month project.

"Through a serious local advocacy work, issues and concerned can be immediately addressed. Local advocacy strengthens the national initiative and builds a wider, stronger base of support," Mr. Moreno said during the National and Local Legislators Conference on Population, Reproductive health, and Development last month.

The first and second phases of the project kicked off at the start of the year 2000 and mid-2001, respectively. It was implemented in various areas in Sorsogon, Tanay, Negros Oriental and Misamis Oriental.

After 8 months, LAP met its objectives to mobilize local resources for population and reproductive health through the utilization of effective partnerships at local and national levels.

At the end of February this year, LAP reaped the fruits of its hard work. Its achievements include increased appropriation for reproductive health programs, appointment of reproductive health program personnel, formation of a youth advocacy group, creation of offices, and establishment of equipment centers.

LAP is only one of the many programs that reproductive health advocates are moving for.

With House Bill (HB) No. 4110, or the proposed Reproductive Health Care Act, the only thing needed is cooperation on the part of the people.

HB 4110 seeks to improve the health and well-being of the Filipinos by upholding the reproductive rights of all Filipinos. It seeks to ensure their right to reproductive health care and "their right to reproductive self determination."

The Roman Catholic Church, however, frowns HB 4110, claiming the bill will promote abortion and promiscuity.

Sen. Rodolfo G. Biazon, PLCPD co-chairman, filed a counterpart bill last month that would require the government to provide couples and individuals access to safe and affordable reproductive health services.

"We are out to try and educate our people on the cause and effect of population growth that outstrips the capability of our people to provide for themselves," Mr. Biazon said.

Reproductive health advocates also said the country is no longer capable of providing adequate food for 80 million Filipinos as the burgeoning population problem worsens by the day.

With its population growth rate of 2.36%, one can only hope that the Philippine total land area of 300,000 square kilometers would be enough to accommodate a daily dose of newborn.

When population bursts, the claws of poverty are never far behind. Statistics show the Philippines, as the 14th most populous nation in the world, has about half of its total population or 32 million people below the poverty line.

A comparison of poverty incidence by family size using Family Income and Expenditures Survey data for 1991 and 1994 showed that three-member households had a poverty incidence of only 21%.

Seven-member households had a poverty incidence of 47% while nine-member households had 59%.

Meanwhile, the 1998 National Demographic Survey showed the average number of children per women was 3.7, while the desired number of children was 2.7, indicating a mean difference of one child.

The current population growth rate is a clear and present sign of an immediate need to curb the continuing increase in population.

Without a concrete plan on population control, there will be at least 160 million Filipinos in just over 30 years.

And without the strong political will on power implementation of a population program, we might as well forget about the political promises on poverty alleviation and higher life standards.


Published last November 22 - 23, 2002 in the Business World.