BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte --  The Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) continues its campaign for protect families under its program tagline “Ang Pamilyang Protektado, Panalo”,which underlined the importance of having a well-planned family for this will give greater opportunity and capacity to invest for the well-being and development of each family member – and will then become a more empowered human resource. 

From September 26 to October 2, the POPCOM is celebrating the 30th National Family Week with theme, “Urbanisasyon at Pamilyang Pilipino: Magka-agapay sa Pagpapatibay at Pagpapaunlad ng Bansa.”  

The celebration is a renewal to the call as one cohesive government institution as POPCOM and its partners move together towards healthy, empowered, and well-planned Filipino families and communities.  

POPCOM continued its advocacy of promoting and enhancing interactions among parents and their teenagers, encourages mothers and fathers to engage in open discussions, especially about topics on sex and sexuality, which are seen to help prevent incidences of pregnancy among young people, while the Commission recognized the demographic implications of early pregnancy among adolescents and its impact to development as well.

POPCOM urges its partners specifically the local government units to integrate provision of basic family planning and population development services in their respective capacity development agenda within the context of devolution – as part of the general welfare services enumerated under Local Government Code, Section 17. (May Ann O. Escobal, POPCOM Caraga/PIA Caraga)