As we close this decade, the Forum for Family Planning and Development is proud of its accomplishments for 2019.

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At the national level, The Forum continues to be active in advocating for adequate budget for health as a member of the Alternative Budget Initiative (ABI).  Members of ABI continue to engage legislators for budget support for RH and passage of RH-related policies in both houses of congress. Forum is also proud to have provided an active role in the passage of the Safe Public Spaces Act or Bawal ang Bastos Act of  2019 (Republic Act No. 11313). Forum provided technical assistance and served as resource person during the interpellation of the measure in the Senate.  The Forum is also active in the advocacy for the passage of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Bill  and the Bill Addressing Child, Early Forced Marriages (CEFM) with Forum’s Eminent Person as principal author Rep. Edcel Lagman in the House of Representatives and Sen. Risa Hontiveros for the Senate version.

 

Forum is once again the CSO partner of the Department of Health and NEDA/POPCOM for the conduct of the 3rd National Family Planning Conference.  With support from the SULONG RH project supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, we have began preparations for the conduct of the family planning conference to be held in March 2020 in Novotel Hotel in Quezon City.

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We are also pleased to have secured a grant from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with the Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) to conduct a series of academic lectures in recognition of Forum’s Eminent Persons.  The first Executive Lecture features our beloved Mr. Washington Sycip who passed away in April, 2017.

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Working with partner organizations from national and local government and civil society organizations including youth groups, I’d like to think that our combined efforts have contributed to improve the lives of Filipinos particularly in our project areas of Albay, Benguet, Cebu, Ifugao and Palawan. The local policies that we have advocated including the local RH and HIV/AIDS ordinances as well is increased local budget for health will directly affect a population of more than 5 million in the provinces mentioned. On a national scale, I’d like to believe that the national policies we supported will benefit Filipinos for years to come.

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BENJAMIN D. DE LEON

President