Synthesis of the 3rd National Conference on Family Planning

By Kevin L. de Vera

Rapporteur

November 23, 2024 - Pasig City.

Where are we now? The Philippines to meet our global and national commitments such as the RPRH law implementation, FP2030, SDGs, and the ICPD, and we have made significant strides in integrating these commitments in the Philippine Development Plan and the recently approved Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action (PPD-POA) 2023-2028.

Fertility trends show a decline in Total Fertility Rate (TFR) across all regions except BARMM, with notable reductions among the poorest two wealth quintiles. However, adolescent pregnancies are rising, particularly among below 15-year-olds.

Modern contraceptive use among married women has increased steadily since 1993.

Progress has been made in aligning with the SDGs in improving maternal and child health (SDG 3), primary education enrollment (SDG 4), and gender equality (SDG 5).

The Philippines is at a demographic juncture where the working-age population forms its most significant proportion in history (64%). This presents an opportunity to achieve a demographic dividend—accelerated economic growth driven by a productive working-age population. However, the country faces challenges in realizing this potential due to certain realities, for example: poor nutrition outcomes, as reflected in the low average height of Filipinos; gaps in education, with 25% of the working-age population attaining only elementary-level education and 13% of youth categorized as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), and; low female labor force participation, among the lowest in ASEAN.

In addition, the Philippines is facing a severe educational crisis characterized by systemic shortcomings, which include poor student outcomes, administrative inefficiencies, and a disconnect between education and industry needs. 

One of the key factors driving progress in our field is the improved environment for data gathering. Support for research and studies is increasing, which is a positive sign of growing awareness and commitment. However, we must recognize that not all issues receive equal attention. Some topics, especially those deemed more popular or urgent, tend to attract more support and funding.

At the same time, we are witnessing the availability of new research in critical areas such as family planning, reproductive health, and population and development. These studies are vital in shaping evidence-based policies and programs that address the needs of our communities.

These two days remind us of the critical role that data and evidence play in designing effective programs and projects. By grounding our initiatives in reliable data, we can ensure that our efforts are not only responsive but also impactful. This importance is reflected in local innovations like mobile hospitals and data-driven approaches. These solutions are proving to be highly effective in improving access to healthcare services, especially in addressing emergencies during disasters.

Such efforts demonstrate how evidence-based strategies can bridge gaps in service delivery and provide timely, life-saving interventions. 

While we have seen progress, we are still faced with challenges. Persistent disparities in access to health care and education, particularly in underserved areas, hinder equitable progress. Gender inequality continues to limit women’s participation in the workforce and leadership roles. And high youth unemployment and skills mismatches affect economic productivity.

Moving on, uneven implementation and insufficient indicators challenge sustainable urban development and climate action. Rising adolescent pregnancy rates could undermine progress and demographic dividend potential. The country also lags in maximizing the demographic dividend due to gaps in education, employment, and research on population dynamics.

Across the country, many individuals and communities still face significant challenges in accessing essential health care. One of the most persistent barriers is geography. In remote and rural areas, particularly for indigenous peoples, the sheer distance to health facilities can make seeking care almost impossible. A lack of transportation, poor road networks, and isolation continue to leave many Filipinos without access to their needed services.

Beyond physical barriers, societal norms and biases also create invisible walls. Gender biases and cultural stigmas often limit women’s autonomy in making decisions about their health. At the same time, the involvement of men in family planning remains minimal, often due to stereotypes and misinformation. We also cannot ignore the critical gaps within our health systems. Many individuals report receiving inadequate counseling, which prevents them from making informed choices. Whether unconscious or deliberate, provider biases can discourage people from seeking care. Furthermore, there are structural gaps in mobilization efforts at the community level.

These challenges demand a comprehensive response. Let me quote the President, H.E. Ferdinand BongBong Marcos Jr, in the speech delivered by Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, “Be assured that the administration fully supports the initiatives of the Department of Health, Commission on Population and Development, and all our partners in the government and private sector that tackle population challenges and reproductive health issues.”

Please allow me to ask everyone this question… What does this message mean to you?

As a community of family planning and population and development advocates, “Ay… may support tayo ng Pangulo...” (We have the President’s support). With the President's commitment, we can overcome these barriers and create a healthcare system and development programs that truly serve all Filipinos.

Firstly, urgently address pressing issues or gaps in systems and services that require immediate attention to ensure sustainable development. The following require Accelerated actions:

Invest in Human Capital: Accelerate investments in health, nutrition, education, and skills training to enhance workforce productivity, especially for marginalized groups.

Empower Women and Youth: Urgently address barriers to women’s workforce participation, reproductive health programs, and family planning services. Likewise, ensure the adolescents are provided with access to safe and adolescent-friendly health and development interventions. And ensure that youth receive quality education and job opportunities to leverage their demographic advantage.

Strengthen Labor Market Systems: Immediate action is needed to better align workforce skills with job market needs by fostering industry-academic partnerships and expanding technical/vocational training.

Prioritize Early Childhood Interventions: Increase early childhood education enrollment and address malnutrition through nutrition programs to ensure foundational learning and development.

Increase Educational Quality and Access to Health and Development Opportunities: Focus on enhancing the quality of education and advocating for a health and development-enabling in-school environment, such as scaling up CSE-ARH convergence efforts across the country.

Promote Job Quality: Act to improve the quality of jobs available to better economic outcomes for all, ensuring educational investments translate into opportunities with decent wages and career progression.

We need to strengthen data collection to sustain data-driven governance and service delivery. Accurate and comprehensive data serve as the foundation for effective decision-making, and this recommendation is reflected in almost all of the presentations. It allows us to identify challenges, measure progress, and adapt strategies to meet emerging needs.

We must promote research and advocacy in population and development. By advancing knowledge and raising awareness, we can drive policies and programs that address the unique challenges faced by our people.

It is essential to scale up programs that respond to the specific needs of different population groups and the unique characteristics of each locality. Tailored approaches ensure that interventions are relevant and inclusive, reaching those most need them.

We must prepare for an aging population. This requires collaboration among government agencies, civil society, and other stakeholders to develop sustainable healthcare and social protection policies that address the needs of our aging society.

We need to strengthen health systems. By working together—across government, healthcare providers, and the private sector—we can ensure universal access to quality healthcare, particularly in underserved and remote areas.

We must advocate for community and individual action. Improving health, education, and employment outcomes requires a shared responsibility across sectors. Together, we can empower local communities to take collective action and create a brighter future for everyone.

We must enhance policy implementation and data systems. Effective collaboration between national and local governments, NGOs, and academic institutions will help us implement and track Sustainable Development Goal-related policies more efficiently, ensuring accountability and progress.

In closing, it is time to advance family planning beyond health service delivery and show how it is linked and impacts or impacted by other issues such as climate change, education, poverty, child nutrition. Family Planning and Population and Development: Innovate, Collaborate, and Accelerate Now!