Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action 2023-2024 Progress Report PDF

PHILIPPINE POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN OF ACTION (PPD-POA) 2023-2028 2023-2024 PROGRESS REPORT PREPARED BY: COMMISSION ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT (CPD) JULY 2024 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Philippines is currently experiencing critical shifts in its demographic dynamics and structures, which have significant impact on the country’s socioeconomic development agenda. On one hand, the downward trend in fertility at the national level, the increasing working age, and rapid urbanization in the country posits opportunities to accelerate economic growth. On the other hand, the remaining high level of fertility among the poor, the increasing births among the very young adolescents, and the hastened rate of unmanaged internal migration to urban areas, among others, may undermine the quality of human resources and the overall national development. Within these demographic setting, the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) initiated the formulation of the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action (PPD-POA) 2023-2028 to provide an interagency roadmap for the country to collectively “optimize demographic opportunities and address persistent population issues and challenges to reap demographic dividend and accelerate sustainable and inclusive development at all levels.” To enjoin a whole-of-government approach for the implementation of the Plan, the Office of the President issued Memorandum Circular No. 40. The MC likewise mandated the CPD to take the lead in the implementation and coordination of the Plan among key stakeholders. To realize its goal, the PPD-POA has laid out key intersecting strategies and collaborative framework that guides various stakeholders. These strategies include: Promote Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RPFP) Advance Adolescent Health and Development (AHD) Support Labor Force Empowerment and Active and Healthy Ageing Accelerate Inclusive Development among Marginalized Sectors of the Population Integrate Population Agenda in Sectoral Development Strengthen People-Centered Regional and Local Development Foster International Partnership and Collaboration on Population and Development Intensify Population and Development Research and Knowledge Management i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Since its approval up to the first semester of 2024, the following key strategies and activities indicated in the PPD-POA were pursued: Enhancement of the population and development database as basis for strategy and program development at all levels, which include the development and approval of the population projections based on the 2020 Census on Population and Housing (CPH). Building of institutional support and collaboration/ partnerships with concerned government agencies, specifically with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Agriculture (DA), National Youth Commission (NYC), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), and other relevant agencies for the integration of POPDEV issues in their sectoral programs and initiatives and their institutional roles in the attainment of the objectives of the PPD-POA. Advocacy for the enactment of POPDEV-related policies to include the congressional proposals for the establishment of the national policy on the prevention of adolescent pregnancies. Strengthening of the body of knowledge on POPDEV through conduct of research and studies to support policy and program development. Development of analytical tools and programs to estimate the impact of population dynamics on specific development concerns such as housing, food security, urban management, among others. Engagement and capacity building of regional coordinative bodies in integrating regional POPDEV emerging issues and concerns in the regional development plans and strategies. Strengthening of institutional capacities of local government units (LGUs), pursuant to the devolution policy, in developing sustainable POPDEV programs and strategies including the provision of family planning and POPDEV information and services. This also include the provision of capacity building in enhancing the capacities of LGUs in evidence-based planning and program development through the establishment of population surveillance systems such as the registry of barangay inhabitants and migrants. Stregthening the organizational effectiveness and capacity of the CPD through its organizational development initiatives including organizational diagnosis and strategic planning. Moving forward, the CPD shall strengthen its collaboration with the member agencies of the CPD Board of Commissioners to address the remaining POPDEV challenges and opportunities as spelled out in the PPD-POA towards Planado, Matatag, at Maginhawang Pamilya at Pamayanang Pilipino. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction 1 A. Overview of the Philippine Population and Development Plan 1 (PPD-POA) 2023 - 2028 and Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 40 B. The Role of Commission and Population and Development (CPD) 13 II. Progress in the PPD-POA Implementation 19 A. Promote Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RPFP) 19 B. Advance Adolescent Health and Development (AHD) 29 C. Support Labor Force Empowerment and Active and Healthy Ageing 43 D. Accelerate Inclusive Development among Marginalized Sectors of the Population 47 E. Strengthen People-Centered Regional and Local Development 51 F. Integrate Population Agenda in Sectoral Development 61 G. Intensify Population and Development Research and Knowledge Management 63 H. Foster International Partnership and Collaboration on Population and Development 69 III. Challenges and Ways Forward for the PPD-POA 73 iii iv I. INTRODUCTION A. Overview of the Philippine Population and Development Plan (PPD-POA) 2023-2028 and Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 40 Never that the country has a vastness of a human resource that can provide enormous potential and capability to accelerate socioeconomic development such as now. The more than 112 million Filipinos offers a huge force that if efficiently and effectively tapped, the social and economic development in the country can improve by leaps and bounds. As such, the country’s demographic situation offers opportunities that call for its optimal use through collective and aggressive actions from various stakeholders and institutions. Such is an agenda that the country’s population and development strategy seeks to pursue. This agenda is laid out in the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action (PPD-POA) 2023-2028. The PPD-POA 2023 serves as the country’s overall blueprint for interagency and intersectoral strategy to optimize demographic opportunities and address prevailing and persistent population issues in the country. Recognizing its significance as a roadmap that can support the attainment of the government’s socioeconomic development agenda, the Plan was approved by the Office of the President through Memorandum Circular No. 40 in November of 2023. The memorandum also mandated all government agencies and its instrumentalities to consciously contribute to the attainment of the Plan’s goals and objectives. It directed the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) to take the lead in the coordination of the Plan including the submission of annual report to appraise stakeholders on the status of its implementation. Hence, this Progress Report of the PPD-POA 2023-2028 aims to inform the Office of the President and other stakeholders on the status of the strategic actions laid out in the Plan. It covers the actions undertaken in 2023 up to the first semester of 2024. It covers mostly the actions pursued by the CPD in collaboration with partner agencies and stakeholders at the national, regional, and local levels. 1 The Plan of Action The demographic conditions in the country have significantly evolved since the issuance of Presidential Decree No. 79 which enshrined the country’s national population policy. During such period, the country was concerned about the impact of the rapid growth of the population driven by high fertility on the socioeconomic development of the country. Hence, the launching and mainstreaming of the national family planning program to effectively “manage the population.” After more than five decades since the institution of the national population policy, the country’s demographic situation now provides greater potential to facilitate socioeconomic development at the household as well as national levels. Some of the major demographic potentials to which the population policy in the country was able to significantly contribute to its attainment and which the government can capitalize on include the following: 2 1. Declining population growth rate. Through the years, the population growth rate in the country has slowed down. For the period 2015-2020, the population grew by around 1.6 percent annually. Based on the 2020-based population projection of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Philippine midyear population is projected to reach 138.67 million by 2055. In a span of 35 years, around 29.47 million people will be added to the projected midyear population of 109.20 million population in 2020. Moreover, the average annual growth rate is estimated to decline from 0.84 percent for the period 2020-2025 to 0.35 percent for the period 2050-2055. The PSA also estimated a total of 112 million in 2023, indicating a slower growth than expected. Such slowdown in population growth was significantly affected by the high number of deaths and decreasing live births in the same and previous years. 3 2. Significant economic growth potential from declining age dependents and increasing working age population. With the declining population growth rate, the age structure of the population is likewise changing. The country now has a declining proportion of young dependents (14 years old and below), an increasing proportion of the working age population, and increasing segment of older persons (65 years old and above). With the increasing proportion of the labor force, the country has the potential to accelerate economic development by improving employment and involvement in economic activities of its human resource. At the household level, with greater capacity to earn income and savings because of smaller family size, families would be more capable to invest on the health, education, and skills development of children. 4 3. Greater capacity of women and individuals to achieve their fertility goals. The declining population growth rate is mainly caused by declining fertility level among women in the country. Based on the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey (PSA), the total fertility rate has gone down to 1.9 children from around 4 children in the 1990s. The latest level of fertility is almost at the same level with the desired fertility of women at two (2) children. This means that Filipino women are now more capable to fulfill one of their reproductive rights specifically their right to have their desired number, timing, and spacing of children. However, women who are poor and with low level of education continue to have higher fertility than what they wanted. Most of these women are in the rural areas. Increasing practice of family planning. One factor influencing fertility behaviors among women is their use of family planning methods. The country’s contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR), particularly for modern methods continues to increase. In 2022, the modern CPR increased to 42 percent of married women of reproductive age (Source: 2022 NDHS). The provision of family planning services is a devolved to the local government units, hence, the need to strengthen them towards improved access to these services especially among women who have poor socioeconomic conditions. Improving socioeconomic condition of women enhanced the capacity of women to achieve their desired fertility. A study of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS, Abrigo and Estopace, 2023) highlighted the improvement of the socioeconomic condition (i.e., education and employment) of women as the most significant driver of fertility decline in the country. As such, there is a continuing challenge to work with other sectors to improve the educational and employment status, among others, of women to improve their capacity to exercise their reproductive rights. Currently, while women’s participation in the labor force or employment generally increased through the years, with 54.7 percent in April 2023 (PSA), a decline in April 2024 (53.2%) was noted by PSA. 5 4. Reduced level of early pregnancies among older segment of the adolescents. Based on the 2022 NDHS, the proportion of adolescents aged 15-19 who have begun childbearing has declined to 5.4 percent from a high 8.5 percent in 2017. The same downward trend has also been noted by the Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey (YAFSS) in 2021 where the same indicator went down to 6 percent from 13 percent in 2013. However, a notable increase in the number of livebirths among 10-14 years old was recorded by the civil registry and vital statistics (CRVS) of the PSA. From 2,320 livebirths in 2021, this increased to 3,115 livebirths in 2022 – by about 35 percentage increase. 6 5. Urbanization driven by internal population movement. The country is experiencing rapid urbanization, and this is being accelerated by the influx of migrants to cities and urban areas. While urbanization is driving local development, its economic outcome can be more optimized if its social and environmental costs are mitigated. Nevertheless, the main challenge that the CPD, LGUs and other relevant agencies are facing in the effective management of urbanization in the country is the lack of institutionalized mechanism for the tracking of population movement in and out of a certain locality. 7 6. Improved governance on population and development. Institutional ownership and stakes in population and development issues have been improving through the years. The issuance of relevant policies to strengthen the POPDEV strategies in the country including the improved localization of these strategies in the LGUs are key manifestations of improve governance and collaborative mechanisms among relevant institutions in the country. Through the initiatives of the CPD, more and more institutions are being involved in designing and implementing relevant interventions to support the implementation of the PPD-POA. More LGUs have also instituted local population structures to ensure that population outcomes in their locality are facilitating and supporting their socioeconomic development. 8 Amidst these demographic opportunities, there remain critical challenges that the population situation in the country poses. Some of these include: 1. Unevenly distributed across regions. About 39 percent were living in the National Capital Region, CALABARZON, and Central Luzon and the rest were distributed to the remaining 14 regions. Associated with this uneven distribution is the unequal distribution of regional development. Having a significant proportion of the population, the three mentioned regions also have about one-third of the regional gross domestic product. 2. Excluded sectors of population. There remain segments of the population that are not clearly accounted for or profiled, hence, usually excluded from the mainstream of development. Currently, there is no systematic mechanism or registry of indigenous peoples and communities, the persons with disabilities, urban and rural poor, and those working in the informal economy making them usually not included in program development. 3. High fertility among poor women. A significant proportion of women who are poor and with low level of education remained incapable to achieve their fertility intentions. They also have the lowest level of contraceptive use, which indicates a low level of access to various family planning services. 4. Increasing pregnancies among younger segment of adolescents. While the proportion of adolescent girls who have begun childbearing has declined among the older segment of adolescents (aged 15-19), younger adolescents (aged 10-14) are increasingly being exposed to early pregnancies. This is indicated by the increasing number of livebirths among this age group in more recent years, based on the PSA’s civil registry and vital statistics. 5. Prevailing gaps in the capabilities and utilization of the available human resources. While the country has the largest proportion of human resource in history, the optimal use of these resources remains a challenge. For one, there remains a huge challenge in terms of the level of education, skills, health, nutrition and other development aspects of the current human resource. Challenges in the completion and performance rates in education have perennially beset the education sector. Moreover, stunting and its life-long impact continues to pose a threat on the wellbeing and potential of Filipino children. Pregnancies among children are likewise on the rise. For another, youth unemployment is at its highest mainly because of the lack of employment and economic opportunities for them 6. Unmanaged urbanization. The continuing influx of migrants in the cities and urban areas is now the main driver of rapid urbanization in the country. While its also the main driver of economic growth in cities, it is also the main cause of many urban problems such as congestion, squatting, traffic, and environmental problems, among others. Furthermore, the influx of migrants to the cities has also facilitated the declining human resources in the rural areas. Hence, the need for more effective and inter-dependent urban and rural development particularly in managing population movement. 9 PPD-POA Strategic Actions. Within the context of these demographic and socioeconomic situations, the PPD-POA 2023-2028 was formulated to map-out initiatives that can “optimize demographic opportunities and address persistent population issues and challenges to reap demographic dividend and accelerate sustainable and inclusive development at all levels.” Towards this goal, the following interrelated key strategic actions were identified for implementation with various stakeholders: 1. Promote Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RPFP). This strategy aims to promote and enhance the capacities of couples and individuals to achieve their wellbeing and aspiration as a family by enabling them to achieve their fertility goals (i.e., timing, spacing and number of children) within the demands of responsible parenthood and informed choice. 2. Advance Adolescent Health and Development (AHD). This strategy aims to enable adolescents to prevent early pregnancies to increase their chance and capacity to achieve their potentials and aspirations. It likewise involves initiatives that aim to capacitate parents, teachers and adults to effectively guide young people in making informed decisions about their sexuality and personal development. 3. Support Labor Force Empowerment and Active and Healthy Ageing. As part of the life-cycle approach, this strategy supports the formation and development of human resources to enhance their capacity to be employed or earn income, save and invest for the future. This also aims to support the creation of an enabling environment for active and healthy ageing given the steady increase of older people. These actions are integrated as the promotion of labor force empowerment will be critical in ensuring that today’s human resources will have a secure socioeconomic life as they go through old age. 4. Accelerate Inclusive Development among Marginalized Sectors of the Population. Aside from various needs across age groups, there is a need to identify and address the specific concerns of the marginalized and underserved segment of population including the persons with disabilities, indigenous people, urban and rural poor, older persons and those belonging to the informal economy. It shall endeavor to improve the program and policy environment for these special segments of population to ensure their wellbeing. 5. Integrate Population Agenda in Sectoral Development. This strategy recognized the significant impact of population on sectoral development. Given the increasing working age population and lesser proportion of young dependents, the opportunity for demographic dividend in the county has become more viable. As such, POPDEV integrated approach shall be pursued to mobilize relevant sectors such as health, employment, education and other relevant agencies to facilitate development and employment of human resources towards greater economic productivity. Moreover, this approach shall act on the integration of population related strategies in various sectoral initiatives (e.g., environment, climate change, food security and agricultural development, etc.) to facilitate more efficiently the attainment of sectoral goals and objectives. 10 6. Strengthen Institutional Capacities for People-Centered Development Initiatives at the Regional and Local Level. This strategy emphasizes the role of regional and local government units in pursuing population and development initiates within the areas. It shall enable regional and local institutions to plan, implement and evaluate initiatives that address their regional and local population issues to pursue their development agenda. It specifically ensures that population and development integrated issues and strategies are explicitly considered and included in regional and local development plans and strategies particularly within the context of full devolution. Moreover, it shall guarantee the development and implementation of intersectoral POPDEV initiatives to pursue more integrated development (e.g., Population, Health, Environment and Development integration). 7. Foster International Partnership and Collaboration on POPDEV. The country’s demographic situation has become increasingly connected with the global demographic dynamics. Global ageing, for example, has created demands for care and health services from less developed economies which facilitated the movement of human resources to ageing countries providing serious implications on the health and social systems of migrant-sending countries such as the Philippines. Within this context, this strategy seeks to improve the country’s capacity to formulate and implement POPDEV strategies through effective knowledge-sharing and collaborative arrangements with relevant countries. It also seeks to foster bilateral and multilateral partnerships in pursuing relevant POPDEV strategies. 8. Strengthen POPDEV Research, Advocacy and Knowledge Management System. This strategy intends to improve the body of knowledge and sources of information on the interrelationships of population and development variables and concepts to support evidence-based plan, program and policy formulation and implementation. The conduct of POPDEV research and establishment, analysis and utilization of relevant databases and information will characterize this approach. Along with these strategic actions, the CPD initiated the establishment of institutional support to mobilize various stakeholders in the development and implementation of more concrete and specific programs, projects, and activities. You may get the digital copy of the PPD-POA 2023-2028 at our website: www.cpd.gov.ph 11 12 B. The Role of the CPD The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) is mandated by Presidential Decree No. 79 to implement the objectives of the national population policy which include: 1. To formulate and adopt coherent, integrated and comprehensive long-term plans, programs and recommendations on population as it relates to economic and social development consistent with and implementing the population policy which shall be submitted to and approved by the President; 2. To make comprehensive studies of demographic data and expected demographic trends and propose policies that affect specific and quantitative population goals; 3. To organize and implement programs that will promote a broad understanding of the adverse effects on family life and national welfare of unlimited population growth; 4. To propose policies and programs that will guide and regulate labor force participation, To make family planning a part of a broad education program; 5. To make family planning a part of a broad education program; 6. To encourage all persons to adopt safe and effective means of planning and realizing desired family size so as to discourage and prevent resort to unacceptable practice of birth control such as abortion by making available all acceptable methods of contraception to all persons desirous of spacing, limiting or preventing pregnancies; 7. To establish and maintain contact with international public and private organizations concerned with population problems; 8. To provide family planning services as a part of over-all health care; and 9. To make available all acceptable methods of contraception, except abortion, to all Filipino citizens desirous of spacing, limiting or preventing pregnancies. 13 In 2018, by virtue of Executive Order No. 71, the Commission on Population was renamed to Commission on Population and Development (CPD) to strengthen its mandate to develop and implement population-related strategies that can support the socioeconomic development agenda of the government. Furthemore, the CPD is tasked and mandated by other national policies, to wit: 1. Section 37 of the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992. The law mandated the CPD to provide technical assistance to local government units in setting-up effective mechanisms to monitor trends in the movement of the population from rural to urban, urban to urban and urban to rural areas and in identifying measures by which such movements can be to achieve balance between urban capabilities and population, also in directing appropriate segments of population into areas where they can have access to opportunities to improve their lives and to contribute to national development. The law also mandated the CPD together with National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to provide advance planning information to national and local government planners on population projections and the consequent level of services needed in particular urban and urbanizable areas. Assistance from POPCOM and other relevant government agencies includes early warning-systems on expected dysfunctions in a particular urban area due to population increases, decreases, or age structure changes. 2. Executive Order No. 12, s. 2017 (Sustaining and Attaining Zero Unmet Need for Modern Family Planning through the Strict Implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act). This EO mandated the CPD to adopt the attainment of the zero unmet need for modern family planning as a population management strategy, particularly in assisting couples and women to achieve their desired family size and to reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy. 3. Executive Order No. 141. S. 2021 (Adapting as a National Priority the Implementation of Measures to Address the Root Causes of the Rising Number of Teenage Pregnancies and Mobilizing Government Agencies). This Order mandated the CPD to continue to educate leaders, parents and other members of the community about evidence- based strategies in the reduction of adolescent pregnancies. It also mandated CPD to develop a consolidateda and comprehensive action plan for the prevention of adolescent pregnancies. 4. Executive Order No. 114. S. 2020 (Institutionalizing Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program as a Pillar of Balanced Regional Development). The BPBP Council included the CPD in the interagency technical working group that will develop and coordinate strategies contributing to the medium to long-term initiatives towards more balanced regional development. 5. Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2019-01 – NEDA, DOH and CPD (Establishing Co- Management Scheme for the National Program on Family Planning). This JMC defined a collaborative framework between CPD and DOH in the planning, coordination and implementation of the national program on family planning. It specifically established a co-management scheme between these two agencies in developing policies and strategies at the national and regional levels on the key aspects of the program including demand generation, service delivery and logistics management. The circular also identifies local government roles in the national program on family planning. 14 In support of the FP program and within its mandate under PD 79, POPCOM shall primarily take the lead in demand generation strategies and assist in activities of FP supply chain management which include warehousing, distribution, and procurement of FP supplies and commodities. 5. Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2019-01 – NEDA, DOH and CPD (Establishing Co- Management Scheme for the National Program on Family Planning). This JMC defined a collaborative framework between CPD and DOH in the planning, coordination and implementation of the national program on family planning. It specifically established a co-management scheme between these two agencies in developing policies and strategies at the national and regional levels on the key aspects of the program including demand generation, service delivery and logistics management. The circular also identifies local government roles in the national program on family planning. In support of the FP program and within its mandate under PD 79, POPCOM shall primarily take the lead in demand generation strategies and assist in activities of FP supply chain management which include warehousing, distribution and procurement of FP supplies and commodities. 6. Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2018-01 – POPCOM, DOH, DSWD, PSA and DILG (Guidelines in the Implementation of the Pre-Marriage Orientation and Counseling Program). This JMC provides for the guidelines for the implementation of the PMOC program at the national, regional and local levels. It specifically provides for the role of CPD on the provision of training on pre-marriage orientation among the members of the local PMOC Team, development of modules and provision of continuing education and training. 7. Executive Order No. 138 series of 2021 (Full Devolution of Certain Functions of the Executive Branch). Under the full devolution policy, the CPD has an approved Devolution Transition Plan which essentially retains the function of program steering including capacity development and provision of technical assistance to LGUs, conduct of research and database management and other strategies to localize the PPDP strategies. To access the CPD’s approved Devolution Transition Pan, you may visit www.cpd.gov.ph 15 16 Most recently, the Memorandum Circular No. 40 series of 2023 issued by the Office of the President which approved and mandated the implementation of the PPD-POA has specifically mandated the CPD to: 1. Coordinate, collaborate and establish institutional partnerships with concerned government agencies to ensure the attainment of the goals and objectives of the PPD- POA; 2. Monitor and assess the implementation of the PPD-POA; 3. Undertake comprehensive population and development research and establish population databases and enable institutions at all levels to optimize and/or address the impact of population dynamics; and 4. Build public and institutional awareness on the impact of population dynamics on socio- economic development. 17 18 II. PROGRESS IN PPD-POA IMPLEMENTATION Since the PPD-POA was formally approved through MC No. 40 in November 2023, initiatives were focused on groundworks for its full implementation. These includes the establishment of institutional support and collaborative mechanisms with stakeholders; capacity building of program implementers; advocacy for the institution of relevant policies; and other strategies that aimed to mobilize relevant institutions to fully implement the Plan. Below are the key initiatives undertaken by CPD and different stakeholders in the implementation of the various strategic actions of the PPD-POA: A. Promote Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RPFP) This strategic action aims to enable couples and individuals to plan and ensure the wellbeing and aspirations of their family by fully exercising their reproductive rights including the attainment of their desired number and spacing of children within the demands of responsible parenthood and informed choice. This strategy is critical in sustaining the demographic transition that can facilitate higher per capita savings and investments especially on health, education, and skills development that can generate level of human resource development needed for socioeconomic development. Hence, the promotion of responsible parenthood and family planning serves as a critical strategy for human capital development. The following outcomes and outputs have been achieved in pursuit of the objectives of this strategic action: 19 20 1. Increased use of family planning methods Through the years, the use of family planning methods as means of ensuring family wellbeing has been increasing. The latest National Demographic and Health Survey (2022 NDHS) noted an increase in the prevalence rate for modern methods of family planning. From 40 percent in 2017, the contraceptive prevalence rate for modern methods increased to 42 percent in 2022. This period even covered by the COVID-19 period during which access to family planning services were challenged because of restrictions in movement of the population. However, access to family planning among poor women remains low with only 45.4 percent. Disparity across regions is also observable (Table 1). Table 1. Current Use of Modern Contraceptive Methods among Currently Married Women Aged 15-49 by Background Characteristics: Philippines, 2022 REGION NCR 38.4 CAR 42.9 I – Ilocos 43.4 II – Cagayan Valley 58.3 III – Central Luzon 41.2 IV – CALABARZON 36.9 IV – MIMAROPA 45.1 V – Bicol 38.8 VI – Westetn Visayas 42.9 VII – Central Visayas 44.9 VIII – Eastern Visayas 42.5 IX – Zamboanga Peninsula 47.9 X – Northern Mindanao 49.5 XI – Davao 49.8 XII – SOCCSKSARGEN 46.0 XIII – Caraga 47.8 BARMM 20.5 RESIDENCE Urban 39.7 Rural 44.3 EDUCATION No education 27.2 Grades 1-6 44.5 Grades 7-10 43.9 Grades 11-12 37.5 Postsecondary 41.6 College 38.5 WEALTH QUINTILE Lowest 45.4 Second 46.4 Middle 43.3 Fourth 34.8 Highest 38.8 CPR 41.8 Source: 2022 NDHS, PSA The total unmet need satisfied also increased from 54% in 2017 to 59% in 2022 (NDHS). However, there remains a significant proportion of unmet need for family planning with 12 percent. 21 2. Enhanced national and local governance for RPFP Currently, the national program on family planning is co-managed by the CPD and DOH under Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2019-01, which defined the collaborative framework for the two main agencies coordinating the program. The JMC also delineated specific roles and collaborative arrangements for the implementation and management of the program. It delineated and harmonized roles specifically on the major components of the program, namely, a) demand generation or social behavior change communication (SBCC); b) service delivery which includes quality assurance and standards setting) c) FP supply chain management, d) capacity building for FP providers, and e) governance. Recognizing the need to further strengthen the governance and collaborative framework at the national level, which has implications at the local levels, the DOH and CPD met and reviewed the current JMC. As a result of such collaboration, the draft of the updated JMC is now under review by the DOH. 22 Moreover, as the main collaborative body for the implementation of the RPRH law at the regional level, the CPD and DOH actively mobilized the Regional Implementation Teams (RITs) in the planning of strategies and resolution of emerging issues in relation the to implementation of the law at the regional and local levels. The RITs also provided technical assistance to the local implementation teams. Furthermore, pursuant to the recommendations from the assessment of the implementation of the RPRH law by the Philippine Institute in Development Studies (PIDS), the DOH initiated the development of a Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Multi-Sectoral Framework (RPRH MSF). This framework aims to provide a collaborative arrangement and mechanism for multisectoral action in the implementation of the RPRH law. It recognizes the importance of other non-health sectors in attaining the objectives of the law. Within this framework, the DOH will likewise establish and mobilize an interagency collaborative body that will provide technical inputs in improving institutional capacities to implement the RPRH law at all levels. To provide a venue for various stakeholders at the regional level to share or discuss newly discovered knowledge, good practices, and emerging issues on population and family planning, the CPD Regional Offices organized a Regional Conference on Population and Family Planning (RCPFP). These were participated by program implementers, advocates, academe, and other stakeholders at the regional and local levels. The RCPFP generated new perspectives on population and family planning that can catalyze innovations and more responsive interventions to fully capacitate families in planning for their wellbeing and development. Fully Devolved Population Development and Family Planning Services The Local Government Code has devolved the provision of family planning and population development services as part of the welfare services. As such, the main responsibility to provide these services rests on the local government units. To capacitate the LGUs in ensuring the delivery of these services in accordance with the full devolution policy, the DOH and CPD continue to assist and capacitate in LGUs within their approved Devolution Transition Plan (DTP). Along this effort, the CPD was able to provide technical assistance to a total of 474 LGUs nationwide. The delivery of family planning services were done by local health and population offices. Among these LGUs, 71 provinces, 133 cities, and 1,178 municipalities have established their local population offices either through appointed or designated local population officer. 23 3. Sustained availability and delivery of quality RPFP information, commodities, and services Within its mandate under the Local Government Code, the LGUs have sustained the availability and provision of RPFP information and services. Based on the data from the DOH’s Field Health Services Information System (FHSIS), there were a total of 8,372, 559 current users of FP methods as of 2022. Among them were 990,201 new acceptors in the same year. While the LGUs have the main responsibility of providing family planning services, the DOH is mandated by the RPRH law to procure and distribute family planning commodities to sustain availability and universal access to the FP services. Under its collaborative arrangement with DOH, the CPD assisted in the supply chain management of FP supplies and commodities, specifically in the storage or warehousing and distribution of the commodities to public health facilities, in close collaboration with DOH-CHDs. In 2023, the CPD distributed 100 percent of the DOH-allocated FP commodities and supplies to regional hubs. The CPD also monitored the stock level at public health facilities and reported stockouts to DOH and LGUs with overstocks for the repositioning of commodities to ensure continuous availability of these commodities. The consolidated reports are submitted to DOH and CHDs as inputs to the forecasting and allocation of FP commodities. Augmentation of FP Services. The DOH with support from USAID has continued to implement and enhance the FP in the Hospitals Program, an approach to increase uptake of FP, especially for postpartum for long acting and permanent methods and services. Moreover, in keeping with its approved DTP, the CPD deployed FP Outreach Team to LGUs especially to those without available long acting and permanent FP methods. For the year 2023, the CPD FP Outreach Team has served a total of 1,515 clients who availed of permanent FP methods with the following breakdown: a) 1,308 for bilateral tubal ligation (BTL), and 207 No-Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV). These outreach services were done in partnership with the LGU concerned and the civil society organizations such as DKT, Friendly Care and Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP). The DOH also continues to monitor and evaluate the compliance of health facilities and service providers in the delivery of FP services with existing standards including the compliance to the principles of informed choice and voluntarism (ICV). Enhanced capacity of FP providers. The LGUs in collaboration with DOH continued to ensure the delivery of quality FP services through highly trained service providers. Aside from in-person Family Planning Competency-Based Training (FPCBT), the DOH instituted an online FPCBT training through the DOH Academy E-Learning Platform. The DOH Academy is an open-source e-learning platform, providing online practical and beneficial training. It covers FP-related courses such as (FP CBT) Level 1. Similar efforts have been initiated by the CPD through the on-going development of the Population and Development (POPDEV) Academy which is also an online e-Learning platform that allows facilitators to gain knowledge and understanding about various lessons, modules and workshops about Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning, Adolescent Health and Development, and Population Development Integration. In 2023, the module on Pre-Marriage Orientation (PMO) has been enhanced and is now in its final stage of completion. The CPD, through its regional offices, continued to capacitate local population officers and workers in various demand generation or social behavior change communication (SBCC) approaches (RPFP in FDS, PMO, KATROPA and Usapan Serye) as part of enabling the LGUs to sustain its local population and development program strategies. 24 Sustained promotional and communication strategies to raise awareness and improve demand and access to RPFP services In compliance with its mandate, the CPD, in collaboration with DOH and other relevant agencies and the LGUs sustained its initiatives in building public awareness on RPFP towards improved access to relevant services. At the national level, the CPD and DOH with support from USAID sustained its online and social media campaign through “Usap Tayo sa Family Planning (FP)”. Through this FP page, couples and individuals were able to avail of accurate information about the different FP methods through videos of testimonials from satisfied FP users, frequently asked questions (FAQ) and other resources and know about the nearest FP clinic through the directory provided. Moreover, special events were also organized and commemorated to promote the rights of all couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children through family planning. These included the Family Planning Month every August and the World Contraceptive Day every 26th of September. Various communication and outreach services were provided at the community level during these events. 25 At the local level, there are strategic communication programs that have been instituted to sustain the promotion of RPFP. These include the following: a. Pre-marriage Orientation and Counseling (PMOC) Program. This program is established at the local through PD 965, the Family Code of the Philippines, and the RPRH law. This program requires would-be-couples to undergo sessions on responsible parenthood and family planning, among others, as a requirement for the issuance of a marriage license. It aims to provide information to would-be-couples that they can use to sustain harmonious marital relationships and ensuring responsible parenting when they have children, including the practice of family planning to attain their desired number, timing, and spacing of children. The program is being coordinated by CPD, DOH, DSWD, and PSA through a national and regional interagency technical working group. b. RPFP in Family Development Sessions (FDS) of the “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program” (4Ps). Recognizing the importance of responsible parenthood and family planning as a capacity among couples and families to improve their socioeconomic conditions and alleviate their family from poverty, the Pantawid Program has included RPFP topics in the FDS, which is a session required among beneficiaries to attend as a condition for cash transfer. The topic on RPFP (Module 2.2.) is required for couples. In some LGUs, the FDS on RPFP is supported by the provision of FP services especially among those with unmet need for FP. 26 c. Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya (KATROPA). This is an initiative that aims to improve the involvement and participation of men in responsible parenthood and family planning, gender equality, and healthy lifestyle. It involves the conduct of all-male sessions or classes on responsible fatherhood/parenthood, family planning, gender equality including laws and policies against gender-based violence, healthy lifestyle, maternal and child health, and basic skills on advocacy. The male participants are expected to also become a peer educator or advocate during their informal gatherings or sessions by sharing accurate information or role modeling. The program is being implemented by LGUs and with organizations that are male-dominated such as the Philippine National Policy, Armed Forces of the Philippines, civic associations (e.g., tricycle drivers and operators, information workers, farmers and fisherfolks, etc.), and other stakeholders. d. “Usapan Serye” on Family Planning. This is a structured group discussion on FP and maternal health care. It covers modules sessions on FP, safe motherhood and male participation in FP and maternal and child health usually done as a demand generation activity for family at the community level. 27 28 B. Advance Adolescent Health and Development (AHD) Recognizing the important role and contribution of young people to socioeconomic development of the country, the government needs to create an enabling environment for them to develop and achieve their potentials and aspirations so they can positive contribute not only to the future but also in the present development. This includes initiatives that enhance their capacities to deal with conditions such as adolescent pregnancies that may prevent them from achieving such potential. In view of this, the PPD-POA sustained strategic actions to advance adolescent health and development particularly addressing increasing incidence of adolescent pregnancies. 29 Towards this thrust, the following were jointly pursued and attained by CPD and other relevant agencies: 1. Improved policy and program environment for the prevention of adolescent pregnancies Initiatives in addressing adolescent pregnancies and other relevant issues among young people is supported by existing national policies to include the RPRH law, SK Reform law, and other recent policy issuances including Executive Order (EO) No. 141 issued in 2021. The RPRH law as emphasized by EO 141 included the adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) as one of the components of reproductive health care and mandated the provision of reproductive health or comprehensive sexuality education in school curriculum. Aligned with this mandate is the issuance of the DepEd of their policy on CSE which integrated relevant human sexuality and other age-appropriate topics that can enable them to prevent unplanned pregnancies and exercise responsible sexuality. In relation to this, the DepEd, in collaboration with CPD, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Center for Health Solutions and Innovations (CHSI) has initially trained their teachers on CSE, albeit, limited in terms of the number of teachers covered. The CPD Regional Offices also partnered with various schools in the training of their teachers on CSE. Under Year 2023 has set milestones in terms of policy and program support for adolescent health and development. Specifically, the aim to prevent and/or reduce the incidence of adolescent pregnancies is clearly articulated in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) and Philippine Youth Development Plan (PYDP) for 2023-2028. Similar to the promotion of RPFP, the advancement of adolescent health and development remains a significant strategy of the PPD-POA 2023-2028 towards greater human capital development. 30 Under the EO 141, which directed as a national priority the implementation of measures to address adolescent pregnancies through a whole-of-nation approach, the CPD prepared the Comprehensive Action Plan for the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy in the Philippines. The action plan serves as a roadmap for interagency collaboration in developing and implementing integrated interventions along the five major areas to include: a) intensify and broaden comprehensive sexuality education, b) improve access to adolescent sexual, reproductive and social services, c) enhance mechanisms for preventing and managing sexual abuse and exploitation among girls and children, d) improve socioeconomic conditions and social protection for adolescents, and e) promote youth participation in development. To date, The CPD was instructed by the Office of the President through the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) to assume the lead in coordinating and implementing the implementation of the EO 141. Initiatives for adolescent health and development were also integrated in the Philippine Youth Development Plan for 2023-2028 prepared by the National Youth Commission (NYC) as well as in the upcoming 4th National Plan of Action for Children being initiated by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC). These plans also provide significant and strategic policy directions that guides interagency actions in addressing the issue of adolescent pregnancy. A significant directive from the national level that facilitated specific institutional response from local government units was the integration of the “establishment of functional teen centers” in the criteria for the 2023 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) of the Department the Interior and Local Government (DILG). These teen centers are one-stop- shop user-friendly facilities for adolescents for health and social services. It serves as a core referral facility for various services needed by adolescents. The facility is supposed to be managed by young people to encourage their peers to access the facility. Based on the final validation by the DILG, about 68 percent of LGUs were compliant to the said indicator. Such indicator was retained in the 2024 SGLG. Pending Legislative Agenda on ASRH. To improve the policy environment for adolescent sexual and reproductive health particularly in addressing adolescent pregnancies, the Philippine Congress filed and tackled a proposed policy that fills in the gap of existing policies specifically on ASRH. The Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill (House Bill No. 8910) in the HOR was passed in the second reading on September 3, 2023. However, Senate Bill No. 1979 remains pending for second reading. Various government agencies including the CPD, DOH, DepEd, NYC, CWC, and the civil society organizations and development partners have manifested support in the deliberation of these congressional bills. 31 2. Instituted and sustained CSE initiatives As the main strategy of the government to provide accurate information to adolescents on ASRH and other related concerns to enable them to prevent early pregnancies, the CSE in the country has been pursued through various modalities. 1. CSE in the school curriculum. As mentioned above, the DepEd has already laid their policy in pursuing CSE within the school curriculum. Within this policy, the DepEd has integrated into the MATATAG curriculum various CSE topics in relevant subjects. The DepEd has also started integrating CSE into the Alternative Learning System (ALS) modules to ensure that those not in the informal education system are also provided with accurate information on ASRH. 2. CSE in skills development modules. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has likewise started mapping-out the integration of the CSE in their modules for skills development specifically among adolescent mothers. 3. CSE for adolescents not in education, employment, or training. Several LGUs have likewise initiated activities aimed at providing adolescents not in school, employment, or training with CSE through AHD sessions, symposiums, and other types of learning activities. 4. CSE for parents and adults. Recognizing the role of parents in educating their adolescent children on matters about sexuality, capacity building for parents and adults with influence over the sexuality of adolescents were conducted. Interventions include the Parent-Teen Talk and Breaking the Barriers Sessions of the CPD which were implemented by the LGUs and CSOs. The CPD with support from the USAID also launched a social media campaign entitled, “Konektado Tayo” which seeks to foster better relationships between parents/guardians and adolescents through open and respectful communication about love, sex, relationships and other challenging topics. A dedicated FB page was created for the campaign as a source of information, coaching, and mentoring in relation to ASRH. 5. CSE for adolescent boys. A number of initiatives were also focused on educating adolescent boys given the high number of them impregnating young girls. Initiatives along this area included the Junior KATROPA and Batang Ama symposiums and forums. 32 I CHOOSE Campaign As part of the Adolescent Reproductive Health-CSE (ARH- CSE) Convergence, the DOH, DepEd and CPD with support from the USAID launched the “I Choose” Campaign in 2021 as a harmonized and common platform for promotional and communication strategies for ASRH. The “I Choose Campaign” underscores the capabilities of young people to make right decisions in realizing their potentials and in attaining their aspirations within an enabling environment. As duty bearers, the government needs to provide them with accurate information and competencies to enable young people to make enabling decisions. Within this framework, the I Choose Campaign was carried out through various promotional and communication strategies through various media including online platforms (website, FB Page and YouTube) and interpersonal communication strategies in schools and communities. Aside from FB pages, various applications have been developed to provide an accessible online hub for ASRH information and referral services. For this, the CPD Regional Office VI partnered with the Save the Children and Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) in developing and promoting the “AHlam Na!” application. The government also supported the Plan International in developing and promoting a digital solution to provide a wide range of menstrual information through the localized Oky 33 3. Improved referral pathways and access mechanisms for ASRH services Access to sexual and reproductive health and other needed services among adolescents remains one of the critical challenges in addressing reproductive health issues among adolescents. Such access is hindered by poor health seeking behaviors among adolescents and exacerbated by some legal restrictions and structural barriers. Within this context, relevant government agencies instituted difference interventions to include the following: 3.1. Establishment of functional Information and Service Delivery Network (ISDN) for AHD/ Key Assistance for Developing Adolescents (KADA) Network and adolescent- friendly health facilities The DOH and CPD have initiated the establishment of a functional network at the local level that aims to ensure the continuum of care and interventions/services for adolescents based on their expressed and identified needs or issues. The ISDN and KADA network have the common strategy of establishing a network of ASRH and other social and economic services that are accessible through an efficient referral system. The network serves as a convergence of all available services within a locality that can address various factors related to adolescent pregnancy within the locality. The network is jointly managed by various stakeholders in the locality. As of this year, there are already 31 LGUs with KADA network and 81 ISDNs. The network is supported by the development and mobilization of adolescent- friendly health facilities (AFHF). These facilities ensure effective delivery of sexual and reproductive health services to adolescents by creating an environment where service providers are non-judgmental, unbiased, considerate, and equipped with the appropriate competencies. The development of these facilities is guided by standards set by DOH. As of 2023, there are a total of 1,855 public health facilities accredited as AFHF. 34 3.2. Establishment and mobilization of functional adolescent or teen centers The establishment and mobilization of adolescent or teen centers in schools, communities, and in areas or institutions that are accessible to intended beneficiaries is also being pursued to improve the health-seeking behaviors of adolescents by providing them with adolescent-friendly health facilities where they can interact with their peers while accessing needed services. These centers aimed to serve as a one-stop-shop facility where various services can be accessed through efficient referral mechanisms. To enable LGUs in setting-up this facility, the establishment of a functional teen centers was included in the SGLG indicators for 2023 and 2024. As per the report of DILG, about 62 percent of the cities and municipalities were able to set up the facilities. However, the remaining challenge is in ensuring the functionality of these facilities. 3.4. Sustained mechanisms for preventing and addressing sexual abuse and exploitation among children and girls The Magna Carta of Women provides for the establishment of a VAW desk in every barangay. The Violence Against Women (VAW) Desk is a barangay-level facility which serves as a frontline service provider to victim-survivors who experience physical, sexual, psychological, economic, and other forms of abuse. It is managed by a VAW Desk Officer designated by the Punong Barangay and is usually situated within the premises of the barangay hall. As to date, only about 90 percent of barangays have established this mechanism for addressing VAW cases. Moreover, EO 141 mandated the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) to lead in addressing sexual abuse and exploitation among young people. Nevertheless, the status of the implementation of this mandate is yet to be monitored. 35 3.5. Instituted social protection program for adolescent parents and their children Recognizing the increasing incidence of adolescent pregnancies especially among younger segment of adolescents and its life-long and irreversible implications, the CPD advocated that such social problem be considered as a national social emergency. For this purpose, the CPD Board of Commissioners (BOC) endorsed the proposal to the Office of the President to issue corresponding orders to call relevant agencies to take immediate action. The CPD likewise drafted proposed legislative policy and submitted such policy proposal to Senate and House of Representative. Both executive and legislative policy proposals highlighted as a critical strategy and measure is the social protection for adolescents especially those who have begun childbearing. In response to the CPD proposal to issue an executive action to declare as a national social emergency the increasing incidence of adolescent pregnancies, former President Rodrigo R. Duterte issued Executive Order (EO) No, 141 in 2021. Such EO declared the development and implementation of measures to address the root causes of adolescent pregnancies as a national priority calling all agencies and instrumentalities of the government and other stakeholders to act and collaborate through a whole-of-government approach. The EO specifically mandated the CPD to develop a comprehensive plan of action to prevent and reduce adolescent pregnancies in the Philippines. It also specifically mandated the Sanggunian Kabataan to provide youth-friendly and right-based measures to support pregnant girls and young mothers to continue and complete their education and to formulate retention strategies and life skills programs for young mothers. Development of Social Protection Program for Adolescent Mothers and their Children (SPPAMC). As a result of its advocacy at the national legislative front, the Senate’s Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros and the House of Representatives’ (HOR) Committee on Youth and Sports Development chaired by Rep. Faustino Dy, deliberated on Senate Bill No. 1482 and Senate Bill No. 8910, respectively. Both bills aimed to set up a national policy on the prevention of adolescent pregnancies in the country which include measures for social protection of adolescent mothers and their children. The HOR bill was approved in the third reading in September 2023 while the Senate version is yet to be calendared for second reading. However, pending the national policy, Senator Hontiveros, in collaboration with CPD and relevant agencies, was able to insert special provisions in the 2021 and 2022 GAA, specifically under the mandates of the CPD and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), for the development and institutionalization of a social protection program for adolescent mothers and their children. The 2021 GAA specifically mandated the CPD to develop the program and submit its recommendation to DSWD for its institutionalization in the country’s social protection strategies and programs. 36 SPPAMC Strategic Framework. Upon the issuance of the 2021 GAA, the CPD coordinated and consulted various agencies for the development of the Social Protection for Adolescent Mothers and their Children Operational Framework and Strategies or SPAMMC-OFS. The framework recommended specific interventions to protect adolescent mothers and their children from various risks and vulnerabilities that they are facing through their current condition. The strategic and operational framework for the social protection of young mothers and their children is aligned with the Philippine Social Protection Operational Framework and Strategies (PSPOFS) approved by the Social Development Committee (SDC) in 2019. The PSPOFS defines social protection to refer to “policies and programs that seek to reduce poverty, inequality and vulnerability to risks and enhance the social status and rights of the marginalized by promoting and protecting livelihood and employment, protecting against hazards and sudden loss of income, and improving people’s capacity to manage risks (as adopted by SDC Resolution No. 1 Series of 2007).” Social protection also aims to realize the rights of citizens for full participation in decision-making affecting their access to and control over resources necessary to maintain and sustain a decent and secure life. It also aims to contribute to social transformation and cohesion to promote human rights, public welfare and equity among all citizens of a country. While the draft SPPAMC-OFS was not presented in the SDC, the CPD advocated for its inclusion in the Social Protection Floor (SPF), which was approved by the President. The SPF refers to nationally defined sets of basic social security guarantees that aim to prevent or alleviate poverty, vulnerability, and social exclusion. These guarantees provide protection to individuals and families in times of need. The guarantees should ensure that, at a minimum, everyone in need has access to essential healthcare and basic social services. These guarantees work together to provide effective access to goods and services that are defined as necessary at the national level. Specifically, the SPPAMC was included as a minimum social protection measure for children and youth. Initial Pilot Implementation. Pursuant to its mandate under the 2021 GAA, the CPD spearheaded the conceptualization and design of a SPPAMC. For its initial design, the CPD implemented SPPAMC initiatives in 15 local government units (LGUs) using its existing fund. From 2022 to 2023, the CPD initiated an assessment of the implementation of the SPPAMC in the pilot sites to gather valuable insights from each of the site. Further, the assessment aimed to determine the relevance and level of accomplishments of the SPPAMC in terms of its effectiveness and efficiency towards the aim for the program’s sustainability. 37 Partnership with DSWD on SPPAMC. Pursuant to 2021 GAA, the CPD closely collaborated with DSWD to develop and implement the SPPAMC. A joint program management team consisting of technical staff from CPD and DSWD was organized and mobilized to discuss and develop the program. The CPD and DSWD likewise collaborated in establishing important policies such as the SPPAMC-FA and the SPF to support the SPPAMC. Strategically, the DSWD proposed the inclusion of the CPD as a member of the Sub-Committee on Social Protection (SC-SP) of the Social Development Committee (SDC), which has been instrumental in the inclusion of the SPPAMC in the SPF. The DSWD were likewise involved in the initial pilot implementation as part of the national technical team that provided technical assistance to LGUs in developing and implementing their local SPPAMC initiatives. DSWD staff were likewise engaged during the assessment of the implementation of the program in initial pilot sites. Moreover, as their agency response, the DSWD developed their interventions on social protection for adolescent mothers particularly the ProtecTEEN program. In 2022, through financial assistance from DSWD, the CPD expanded the pilot implementation to 7 LGUs. By the end of 2023, the Pagkalinga Program was implemented in a total of 22 LGUs (14 cities; 8 municipalities): In 2022, through financial assistance from DSWD, the CPD expanded the pilot implementation to 7 LGUs. By the end of 2023, the Pagkalinga Program was implemented in a total of 22 LGUs (14 cities; 8 municipalities): 38 a. Dagupan City, Pangasinan i. Mabalacat City, Pampanga q. Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte b. Malasiqui, Pangasinan j. Iriga City, Camarines Sur r. Cabuyao City, Laguna c. Solana, Cagayan k. Buhi, Camarines Sur s. Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro d. Roxas, Isabela l. Ormoc City t. Koronadal City e. Maddela, Quirino m. Cagayan De Oro City u. Baguio City f. Diffun, Quirino n. Butuan City v. Muntinlupa City g. Lal-lo, Cagayan o. Cabadbaran City h. Meycauayan City, Bulacan p. Navotas City Through these participating LGUs, the program was able to reach a total of 1,277 beneficiaries. Based on the assessment of the program, this initiative was able to increase the awareness and appreciation of LGUs on the need to set-up social protection interventions for adolescent mothers and their children. As a manifestation of this recognition, 13 pilot sites were able to sustain and mainstream the SPPAMC or the Pagkalinga para sa mga Kabataang Magulang at kanilang Anak Program (Pagkalinga Program) in their local initiatives and programs using their own funds. Moreover, at the outcome level, the program was able to access family planning services and prevented repeat or unplanned pregnancies. A substantial number of the beneficiaries were also able to continue and complete their education and/or to be employed. The institution of the social protection program for adolescent parents was also included in the pending legislative bill on the national policy on the prevention of adolescent pregnancy. Based on the inputs from the pilot-testing of SPPAMC strategies, the CPD and DSWD is in the process of developing a harmonized guideline for the LGUs and other stakeholders in the design, implementation and assessment of similar social protection program. 3.6. Capacitated institutions in AHD The CPD sustained its initiatives to capacitate and provide technical assistance to a total of 993 local governments and institutions for the prevention of adolescent pregnancy and social protection of adolescent mothers. Duty bearers such as teachers, parents, population officers and workers, other local program implementers and youth leaders or Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) were also trained on various AHD approaches to build and improve their knowledge and skills in demand generation on AHD. Various capacity building activities on AHD were conducted using the following tools and approaches developed and promoted by CPD: a. Sexually Healthy and Personally Effective (SHAPE) Adolescent Module; b. Parent-Teen Talk Module; c. Information and Service Delivery Network (ISDN) Guidebook; d. U4U Teen Trail; e. Key Assistance in Developing Adolescents (KADA) modules; and f. Other AHD-related modules from CSOs and LGUs. 39 The DOH on the other hand has included in their DOH Academy courses for both health and non-health providers which aim to capacitate providers with skills in dealing and managing adolescent clients in facilities. These courses are as follow: a. Adolescent Health Education and Practical Training (ADEPT); b. Foundational Course on Adolescent Health Care for Primary Service Providers; and c. DOH Integrated People-Centered Health Services. In 2023, the DOH in collaboration with the DepEd and the Society of Adolescent Medicine of the Philippines, Inc. (SAMPI) conducted a Training of Trainers for the revised and enhanced Adolescent Job Aid (AJA) or AJA 2.0. The inputs to AJA 2.0 were gathered from the rapid assessment and series of consultations facilitated by the SAMPI. The AJA 2.0 will be cascaded to all health facilities and will also be included in the DOH Academy. The AJA is a practical desk reference for health providers to help them respond to their adolescent patients more effectively and with greater sensitivity. The CPD also sustained its assistance in the establishment of Teen Centers across the country both in school and community settings. As of 2023, the CPD monitored a total of 764 Teen Centers and continue to provide assistance to local government units that plan to set up or enhance a facility for teens. 3.7. Improved leadership and governance for AHD and ASRH 40 Within the context of its DTP, the CPD pursued initiatives to build the leadership capacity of LGUs to develop, design, implement, and assess AHD and ASRH strategies at their level. As a strategy, the localization activities of the CPD included the Population and Development Leadership Course (PDLC) which emphasized the capacity to understand the population issues including adolescent pregnancies and its environment to come-up with responsive and innovative strategies through a participatory and consultative process. The CPD and LGUs also partnered with the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), Inc. with assistance from the Bill and Melinda Gates in the implementation of The Challenge Initiative (TCI) in the Philippines. The TCI aims to establish adolescent-friendly interventions in urban areas or cities which face serious challenges in the provision of social services including adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Its leadership component, the “Leadership for Adolescent and Youth-Friendly Cities” or LAYFC aims to capacitate local leaders to develop a more responsive leadership and governance systems to support adolescent sexual and reproductive health, specifically for the immediate reduction of adolescent pregnancy in the locality. To date, the TCI has been adopted in 24 cities with strong support from the local chief executives, local leaders and key program implementers. Reinforcing the TCI is a collaborative initiative of the ZFF, Inc. and the UNFPA, aptly called, “Youth Leadership and Governance Program (YLGP)”. The YLGP aims at realizing the full potential and meaningful participation of youth leaders under the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) in addressing challenges faced by young people in their locality including adolescent pregnancy. 41 42 C. Supporting Labor Force Empowerment The increasing working age population in the country provides an opportunity for the country to accelerate socioeconomic development through attaining and optimizing demographic dividend. It, however, entails the setting-up and sustainability of human capital development initiatives to ensure that the country’s human resources can be fully tapped towards economic development. It also requires the expansion of gainful employment and economic activities to absorb and fully utilize the increasing labor force especially the new entrants and the youngest segment of the human resource. The thrust under this strategic action of the PPD-POA is mainly operationalized by the strategies laid out in the PDP 2023-2028 particularly on human capital development and promotion of employment and job creation. The objective is to support relevant institutions to intensify or accelerate initiatives to build the capabilities of the human resource and its optimal utilization through provision of needed data and information, capacity building and training, and development and application of analytical tools for the design, implementation, and assessment of initiatives to support labor force empowerment. 43 44 Relevant government agencies have conducted these thrusts through their flagship major programs and strategies such as, but not limited to: Implementing Major programs/strategies Agencies Human capital development strategies a. Basic Education Development Plan and the MATATAG DepEd and private Agenda sector, LGUs b. Universal access to quality tertiary education CHED c. Free technical-vocational education and training TESDA, LGUs d. Universal health care including the First 1,000 days DOH, NNC, LGUs and program, family planning, and other nutritional private sector strategies e. Adolescent health and development and ASRH CPD, DepEd, DOH, and programs LGUs f. Social protection programs for indigents and DSWD and LGUs marginalized population Human capital utilization strategies a. Employment programs of DOLE which are laid out in DOLE the Labor and Employment Plan 2023-2028, such as: i. Tulong Pang-hanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (TUPAD) ii. Social program for employment of students (SPES) iii. Job Start Philippine Program iv. DOLE integrated livelihoo d program (DILP) v. Government internship program (GIP) vi. DOLE adjustment measures program (DOLE AMP) g. Social protection programs for poor families and DSWD and LGUs marginalized sectors (e.g., 4Ps, cash-for-work programs, livelihood projects) h. Local initiatives on labor, employment and livelihood LGUs or poverty reduction strategies 45 46 D. Promoting Active and Healthy Ageing The country is projected to have an ageing population by 2030. As such, there is a need to laydown policy and programs interventions that can enable the country to create an enabling environment for healthy and active ageing. Towards this, the National Commission on Senior Citizen (NCSC) has taken the lead in formulating policies and strategies to promote the wellbeing of senior citizens. Among the interventions implemented include: 1. Enabling policy and program landscape for active and healthy ageing With its creation through RA 11350, the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) has taken the lead in the implementation of various programs and services for the older persons, particularly in advancing their health, and well-being, and ensuring a supportive and enabling environment for them. With such mandate, the NCSC spearheaded the preparation and formulation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Senior Citizens (PPASC) 2023-2028. The PPASC seeks to translate into actions and programs the vision of NSC to enable happy, healthy, empowered, and productive senior citizens while living in a safe environment free of abuse and exploitation, with their rights protected, poverty-free, and the ability to contribute to the development of their communities. It serves as a roadmap for healthcare, social engagement, financial security, and overall holistic care, promoting healthy aging and contributing to a more inclusive and compassionate community. 47 The NCSC through its strong collaboration with other national government agencies and civil society organizations has put in place the following major programs for the senior citizens or older persons. These include: a. Senior Citizens’ Unit for Rights Enforcement (SECURE). This initiative ensures the protection of the rights of senior citizens, that they are protected and free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. SECURE seeks to empower senior citizens through provision of legal assistance, advocacy, and education to help them understand their rights and learn to navigate the legal system. b. Wellness, Health, Emergency Response, and Benefits (WHEREB). The WHEREB offers a variety of activities and resources to keep senior citizens active, engaged, and healthy. The program package includes emergency assistance, medical alert systems, and access to a network of healthcare professionals. c. Senior Citizens’ Action for Development and Nation-building (SECADNA). This program sees the senior citizens as valuable resource thus it offers opportunities for senior citizens to utilize their talents and expertise through volunteer work, mentoring programs, and other initiatives. d. Social Pension, Centenarian Benefits, Support to Disabled (SOCPEN). This program facilitates the social pension delivery scheme and guarantees that every eligible senior citizen receives the benefits that are due to them. The above programs of the NCSC are further reinforced with the inclusion of the extended coverage and increase in the benefit level of senior citizens in the Philippine Social Protection Floor (SPF). The SPF for Senior Citizens specifically covers the following: a. Social Assistance - grant of discounts, provision of lifelong learning opportunities and integrated health services b. Social Pension – full pension coverage and implementation of older-persons- friendly policies that ensure the provision of the basic needs of the older persons (e.g. food and medicines) 48 Moreover, as part of the transition of managing community-based initiatives for senior citizens, the DSWD and the NCSC are handholding in overseeing long-term care (LTC) program strategies to respond to the needs of the older persons for care and support as provided in RA 9994. These LTC strategies are as follow: a. Home Care Support Services for Senior Citizens (HCSSC). A strategy to improve the capacities of family members, kinship carers and homecare volunteers in caring for sick, frail, bedridden or disabled elderly family member. It intends to promote stronger family relationship and social responsibility in the community. b. Residential Care Service (RCS). A 24-hour facility that provides long-term or temporary care to senior citizens who are abandoned by families and with no significant others to give needed supportive care. The RCS offers social services, home life services, health services, recreational and cultural services, dietary services and spiritual enrichment. As of May 2022, the following RCS for senior citizens are maintained and managed: i. Golden Reception and Action Center for the Elderly and Special Cases (GRACES) ii. Home for the Elderly iii. Home for the Aged c. Volunteer Resource Service (VRS). Mobilization of abled senior citizens as well as young people to voluntarily share their time, skills and capabilities for the delivery of services to other senior citizens in the community. With regard the health and well-being of senior citizens, the DOH in collaboration with the DSWD, NCSC, PhilHealth, the Department of Geriatric Services of Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center and civil society organizations such as the Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE) has continued to promote and implement the following initiatives in response to RA 9994: a. Administration of free vaccination (influenza virus and pneumococcal diseases) for indigent senior citizens; b. Issuance and implementation of administrative orders/guidelines such as Administrative Order No. 2010-0032-A, “Guidelines and Mechanisms to Implement the Provisions of Republic Act No. 9994, on the Sale of Medicines and the Sharing of the 20% Senior Citizens’ Discount”; c. Standards of care for older persons in all healthcare facilities; and d. Life course perspective and wellness program for the older persons. 49 50 E. Promoting People-Centered Development in Regional and Local Initiatives The PPD-POA emphasized as key strategy the building and strengthening of institutional capacities to ensure the development, implementation, and assessment of people- centered development at all levels. Given the interlinkages of population and development, the PPD-POA spelled out the strategy to integrate population dynamics and dimensions in national, regional, and sectoral development plans and strategies to ensure that they are responsive to the actual needs and aspirations of the people being the center and driver of development. The PPD-POA likewise emphasized the need to explicitly include the concerns of the marginalized population specifically the indigenous communities, workers in the informal economy, persons with disabilities, and those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. Within these strategies, the CPD, in collaboration with relevant government agencies at the national, regional, and local levels pursued different activities aimed at integrating population agenda in various development initiatives. This includes the strengthening of partnership and convergent initiatives with different sectors, provision of technical inputs in POPDEV-related proposed policies or legislation, capacity building, and technical assistance to LGUs in integrating population in their development plans and strategies. 51 1. Supporting the development and enactment of population and development- related policies at all levels. In addition to the CPD’s advocacy and technical support to the enactment of a national policy on the prevention of adolescent pregnancies, the CPD monitored and provided inputs to various policy proposals related to population issues and concerns. The CPD participated and submitted position papers in several HOR committee deliberations on policies related to population and development issues. These include the following: a. House Bill (HB) No. 6001 - An Act to Ensure Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Protocol and Programming to Address the Gender-Differentiated Needs of Women During Public Health Emergencies, Public Health Threats, Disasters and Other Health Events of Public Concern; b. HB No. 9059 - Gender Responsive and Inclusive Pandemic Management Act Of 2021; c. HB No. 5043 - An Act Establishing and Institutionalizing a Performance Measurement System to Promote a Culture of Meritocracy Among Local Government Units in The Philippines; d. HB No. 5288 (Personal finance education as condition precedent to the issuance of a marriage license); e. HB No. 1233, 5440, 6748 (Saving the Young Substance Abusers Act); f. Omnibus CRVS Bill; g. HB No. 9420 - “An Act Amending Section 488 (A) Of Republic Act No. 7160, “The Local Government Code Of 1991”, To Mandate The Appointment Of Population Officers In All Provinces, Cities, And Municipalities”; h. Review and amendment of RA 9994 (Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010); and i. Senate Bill (SB) No. 12443 on the Dissolution of Marriage Act. To establish a network of advocates within the legislative branch for POPDEV-related policies, the CPD oriented selected legislative staff on population and development concepts and policy agenda. The CPD Regional Offices likewise worked towards the establishment of local POPDEV policies specifically for the creation of local population structures and localization of POPDEV strategies. As one of the most critical implied policies that facilitated the CPD’s advocacy for the creation of local population structures was the inclusion of the creation of local population office and appointment or designation of local population officers. As per the report from DILG, there was an 80 percent compliance rate for this indicator. While it is not technically a policy, the inclusion of such indicator in the SGLG has facilitated the strengthening of local capacity to develop and implement POPDEV strategies. The CPD Regional Offices utilized such “policy’ in their advocacy and localization strategies with local chief executives and legislators. 52 2. Integrating POPDEV Agenda in Sectoral Development Strategies Recognizing the interrelationships of population with sectoral development concerns, the CPD collaborated with relevant government agencies to work on the integration of population dimensions in their respective programs and strategies. Some of the integrated POPDEV initiatives include: a. Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC). The CPD and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) jointly implemented the sustainable management of Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC) in the Philippines. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the HMCCC brings the work of CPD and GIZ together on knowledge generation, policy formulation, and capacity development for internal migration in the context of slow-onset climate change impacts. Among the most notable outputs of the project is the digitalization of the Registry of Barangay Inhabitants and Migrants (RBIM) and the integration of human mobility in the country’s framework on disaster risk reduction and mitigation as well as on the climate change strategic action. b. Integration of family planning in the Health Sector 8-Point Action Agenda. Though family planning as a strategy is not explicitly articulated in the “8-Point Action Agenda as the Medium-Term Strategy of the Health Sector for 2023-2028”, the DOH has ensured that it is considered and integrated under the key action areas of primary healthcare and its targets (e.g., 95 percent fully immunized child nationwide; decreasing malnutrition by as much as 50 percent and decreasing maternal deaths). c. Strategic actions in managing urbanization and internal migration. Internal migration as one of the demographic processes has been a critical factor in the increase in the tempo of urbanization. Thus, the management of population movement is of critical concern for cities or urban areas given that the rapid rate of urbanization sets challenges to housing needs and overall quality of life in such areas. To mitigate the negative impact of urbanization, the national government through the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has laid out the following policy, plans and program strategies. i. National Housing and Urban Development Sector Plan (NHUDSP) 2040. This Plan aims to link all key stakeholders in working towards the access and betterment of the housing and urban development sector. It spells out the policy on urban migration incorporating balanced and sustainable urban development in the management of population. ii. National Urban Development and Housing Framework (NUDHF). The NUDHF provides an overarching framework for urban development and housing. It delineates the vision, policy statements and strategies, and encompassing core development sectors and spatial elements towards urban development. It aims to serve as guide for the improvement of the performance and efficiency of the country’s urban systems. iii. Resilient and Green Human Settlements Framework (RGHSF). This provides framework for addressing urban-rural nexus approach for integrated resilience building. 53 vi. National Resettlement Policy Framework. This institutionalized resettlement and relocation policies exhorting protection of human rights through humane relocation of informal settler families (ISFs). v. Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program. Aims to address the 6.5 million housing need in the next 6 years by using an innovative framework to help address the burden brought about by major bottlenecks such as affordability and access to housing finance. vi. National Spatial Strategy (Philippine Development Plan). Sets the direction of the physical development of the country which aims for the promotion of livable communities which include holistic urban and rural development for 2023-2028. vii. Plan and Do (PLANADO) Program. Intends to focus on two major outputs — to achieve zero backlog on Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs) and Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plans by 2028 and promote urban development for the next generation (UrbaNext 2040). Under the PLANADO Program the DHSUD and CPD have initiated in the first quarter of 2024 collaborative efforts of integrating population and development strategies in the updating of the CLUP guidelines. In support to the foregoing strategic actions, the CPD has continued to assist local government units in establishing and maintaining the Registry of Barangay Inhabitants and Migrants (RBIM). The RBIM as a population registry provides information on the population movements, in and out migration within a barangay. This continuing initiative is a response of the CPD to the mandate provided in RA 7279 or the “Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 (UDHA Law)” which is to monitor trends in the movements of population (rural to urban, urban to urban, and urban to rural areas). The wealth of data provided by the RBIM specifically on internal migration serves as inputs t

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