UNFPA in the Philippines UNFPA began its programme of assistance to the Philippines in 1969. Since 1972, there have been five Country Programmes with a cumulative package of assistance in the amount of US$106. 9 million. For over 30 years, UNFPA’s contribution has successfully borne fruit as the organization’s overall vision and framework fitted well with the mission and principles of the Philippine Population Program which emphasized family welfare, rejection of abortion, public-private sector cooperation and integration of population and development. The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) ushered in a new paradigm shift that subsumed family planning under a broader concept of “sexual and reproductive health.” It transformed previous references to addressing population issues into pursuing goals concerning reproductive rights, gender equity, male responsibility and the empowerment of women. As a signatory to the ICPD Programme for Action, the Government has formulated a restatement of the Philippine Population Management Programme (PPMP) with UNFPA assistance under the 4 th Country Programme.
The restated PPMP focuses on: The ability of couples to achieve their desired family size; The improvement of the reproductive health of individuals and reduction of infant, child and maternal mortality; The reduction of the incidence of teenage pregnancy, early marriage and other reproductive health problems among the youth; and Policy reforms to help government achieve a favorable balance between population and sustainable development. Challenges The Philippines showed marked deficits with respect to meeting ICPD goals in three specific areas: a) births attended by health professionals; b) contraceptive prevalence rate among women of reproductive age; and c) maternal mortality. In 1998, nearly 55% of all deliveries were attended by health professionals, way below the 80% benchmark. Its contraceptive prevalence rate of 46 for all methods and 25 for modern methods are the lowest in the region. The maternal mortality rate declined from 209 per 100, 000 live births in 1993 to 172 per 100, 000 live births in 1998.
The Term Paper on Reproductive Health Bill 3
... population. As reported by the Department of Health, lack of access to reproductive health services is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality. ... its commitment to the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action (ICPD PoA). Many families, ... the invaluable contribution of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) whose support to parliamentarian advocacy has ...
Given the pace of improvement, the year 2000 goal of 105 per live births could not be met. The Philippines recorded a population of 76. 5 million in the year 2000. Population growth rate has been increasing at an average rate of 2.
36% for the period 1995-2000, higher than 2. 32% for the period 1990-1995. The latest survey conducted in year 2000 indicated that 39. 4% of the country’s population is considered poor. Even if the economy achieves a modest growth rate of 3-4% yearly, no significant reduction in poverty can be expected if population growth is not effectively managed. The Filipino Family Related Link Country Profile and Statistics.
