The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) lauded television personality Drew Arellano for getting a vasectomy amidst the prevailing low level of participation of males in family planning.
In a press release on Wednesday, April 30, the CPD said that Drew’s manifestation of love and appreciation for his spouse and family strongly exemplifies his initiative for responsible parenthood and family planning.
“This comes as good news amidst the prevailing low level of participation of males in family planning as shown by the mere 0.1% of them accepting no-scalpel vasectomy. Currently, family planning is exercised mostly by women,” the CPD said.
According to the CPD, there have been advances in family planning among 8.6 million Filipino women, who utilize modern methods. This percentage is significantly higher compared to the 2022 figure of 8.3 million Filipino women.
Despite this, male-centric methods still register the lowest figures. The CPD highlighted how it is also evident in the current users of male condoms at 1.6%.
“The Agency is calling for more male participation through actual access to family planning services,” the CPD said, emphasizing the importance of shared responsibility in family planning.
With this, the agency promoted the KATROPA or the Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya. This initiative is aimed at promoting equal responsibility among parents when it comes to family planning.
“We need more men like Mr. Arellano to encourage men to assume greater responsibility in ensuring the well-being of their partner and their children through responsible parenthood and family planning,” CPD Executive Director Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales stated.
Additionally, the agency said that pursuing responsible parenthood and family planning (RPFP) leads to “enabled competence in investing in the education and health of family members.”
“In the long run, this productive function may result in improved socioeconomic conditions in the present and in the long run,” the CPD said.
Through “KATROPA,” the agency’s flagship program for men, they encourage men to prioritize their wives or partners, apart from being concerned with their children’s holistic growth.
