Introduction
Demographic effects on growth demonstrate that excess population may have some effect on the rate of productivity gains. The faster the growth of population of working ages, for example leads to a much larger labor force. It may also have some adverse impact on child health, nutrition and educational performance. These in turn have a future impact on the quality of human resources.
Rapid population growth also implies the need to produce more goods and services to accommodate the larger population. It may constrain resources and may lead to the overuse of natural resources. In terms of its effect on the ability of the economy to save and invest, more income is spent on personal consumption, especially in terms of providing basic needs. This means lesser savings, capital accumulation and physical infrastructure.
The government has recognized the implications of rapid population growth and while fertility decisions are made by couples, the government must ensure that people have access to family planning information and services. It must still provide the direction in determining the population level that is consistent with sustained development.
Development
Challenges
The Family Planning Program has played a vital role in the advancement of the health and socio-economic status of the Bicolanas.
The region has actually achieved a modest decline in fertility from 4.13 in 2004 to an estimated 3.9 in 2006. But this is still one child more than the wanted fertility rate of 3.2 children. The unmet need for family planning or the proportion of currently married women who are not using any method of family planning but do not want any more children or prefer to space birth declined from 33 percent in 1993 to 24 percent in 2003. The decline maybe attributed to the strength of fertility preferences, perceived risk of conceiving, husband's fertility preferences and acceptance of family planning methods.
The region's contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) increased from in 42.9 in 2003 (NDHS Survey) to 43.2 in 2005 (FP Survey) and estimated to be 43.4 in 2006. However, those not using any method (56.8 percent) still outweigh both those using modern methods (43.2 percent) and the traditional methods (20.1 percent). The reasons for non-use of contraception are: (1) fertility-related such as wanting to have as many children as possible; (2) the women are already in menopausal stage; (3) fear of side effects on women's health; and (4) opposition to use.
The use of modern methods is below 50. In terms of new acceptors and current users, family planning performance has not exhibited a sustained growth. This could be attributed to: (1) inadequate knowledge on population and family planning; (2) lack of family planning service centers and service providers; and (3) IEC materials and commodity support.
Political will and LGU participation is important for family planning services to be sustained at the local level. These are important especially that foreign donors will no longer supply contraceptives.
Information on other methods, natural family planning included, will have to be provided to married couples of reproductive age, especially in rural areas.
Development
Objectives and Targets
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To improve access to family planning services:
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Close the gap between the desired number of children (3.2 children) and actual family size (4.13 children).
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Increase Contraceptive Prevalence Rate from 43.2 in 2005 to 44 by 2010.
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Reduce the unmet need for family planning (proportion of currently married women who are not using any method of family planning but do not want any more children or prefer to space birth) from 29.3 percent in 2003 to 19 percent by 2010.
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Increase the number of FP modern method users by encouraging the FP traditional method users to shift to modern methods.
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Advocate to LGUs to provide logistic support to FP services, facilities and supplies.
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To disseminate responsible parenting concepts including basic responsibilities of parents.
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To contribute to the reduction of maternal, infant and early child mortality.
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To address the issues on reproductive health in men and women and youth and adolescents.
Strategies
The Responsible Parenting Movement sets the new direction for family planning in the country and the region as well. The program gives emphasis on the Natural Family Planning Program alongside traditional methods in the promotion of family planning services. Along this line, the grassroots level shall be mobilized to become active advocates of responsible parenthood. Classes on responsible parenting shall be conducted in the barangays. One class shall be composed of 10 married couples of child-bearing age who want to practice birth spacing through NFP.
Attention will be focused on Maternal Health Care not only to cover pregnancy-related concerns but also on other reproductive health problems such as reproductive tract infections, malignancies and infertility.
The government shall provide acceptable, accessible, affordable, culturally sensitive and gender-sensitive health services and facilities for married couples of reproductive age to improve access to family planning services.
Major Programs
and Projects
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Reinforced Planned Parenthood Program - provision of services that will decrease the number of unplanned pregnancies when effective methods of contraception are available. Includes universal coverage of pre-marriage counselling and the provision of modern method as well as permanent methods.
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Contraceptive Self-Reliance - encourage self-sufficiency and eliminate dependence on foreign donors for FP services and commodities.
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Natural Family Planning- promotion of alternative methods of contraception for those who cannot use or are not suitable for the modern methods of contraception.
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Women's Health and Development Program
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Family Welfare Program in the Workplace
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Parent Effectiveness Program
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UNFPA 6th Country Program – covers the municipalities of Palanas, Placer, Dimasalang in Masbate Province.
