The Philippines, with 71 unwanted pregnancies per 1000 women aged 15 to 49 annually, is ranked 56th out of 150 nations, as reported in the 2022 State of the World Population (SWP) Report. 

Every 26th of September, the world celebrates World Contraception Day. This annual worldwide campaign centers around a vision where every pregnancy is wanted. Launched in 2007, WCD’s mission is to improve contraception awareness and enable couples of reproductive age, including young people, to make informed choices on their sexual and reproductive health.

Ms. Jackylin Robel, acting regional director of the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM-NCR), said that the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2017, it reported that more than half (54%) of currently married women are using a method of contraception, with 40% using a modern method and 14% using a traditional method. 

Robel added that the same report showed that 17% or 2.6 million currently married women and 49% or 5.1 million sexually active unmarried women have an unmet need for family planning.

Unmet need for family planning is the proportion of women who (1) are not pregnant and not postpartum amenorrheic and are considered fecund and want to postpone their next birth for 2 or more years or stop childbearing altogether but are not using a contraceptive method, (2) have a mistimed or unwanted current pregnancy, or (3) are postpartum amenorrheic and their last birth in the last 2 years was mistimed or unwanted (NDHS, 2017).

The methods of contraception are categorized as short-acting contraceptives, which include pills, injectables, and condoms; long-acting methods, which include Intrauterine devices (UIDs) and implants; and permanent methods, which are vasectomy for males and bilateral tubal ligation for females.  All these methods are classified as Modern Methods of family planning.

Couples and individuals who want to plan their family and do not want to get into invasive and hormonal methods can use modern natural methods such as Standard Days Method (Beads), Cervical Mucus Method or Billing Ovulation, Basal Body Temperature, Sympto-Thermal Method, and Lactational Amenorrhea Method.

For family planning concerns, POPCOM-NCR advises couples and individuals to avail of the family planning information and services from their nearest health center. If the health center's desired family planning service is unavailable, they can visit the POPCOM Family Wellness Clinic located at Brgy. Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City or reach them through the HELPLINE numbers 09617432337/0945908478.

POPCOM is the lead government agency promoting population activities in the Philippines. They offer free services, such as Implants, IUDs, and Vasectomy.  

In the National Capital Region, you can message POPCOM-NCR on their Facebook page for further details: facebook.com/OfficialPOPCOMNCR. (PIA-NCR)