Bontoc, Mtn. Prov. – The Provincial Local Government Unit of Mountain Province through the Office of the Provincial Population and Development, in partnership with the Bontoc General Hospital conducted a Symposium on Responsible Parenting and Family Planning last Thursday, August 30 at the Multi-Purpose Hall Building in the capital town.
In line with the Family Planning Month of August, the activity supports the government’s goal to address the unmet needs for family planning. It promotes the significance of voluntary family planning and responsible parenthood to effectively reduce poverty.
According to Population Program Officer Shirley A. Chiyawan, the activity aims to give awareness on reproductive health care information and services and for the participants to learn how to exercise their reproductive rights, especially on the right to make decisions as to the number and spacing of children; with the context of responsible parenthood and informed choice.
She said that the activity is in line with the “all for health towards health for all” health agenda of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte that focuses on achieving zero unmet need for modern family planning.
Atty. Amador P. Batay-an, Provincial Administrator, who voiced out the message of Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr., reminded the participants on their roles as parents. He said that they must make sure that they provide to their children the basic needs like shelter, food, education etc.
Batay-an also encouraged them to plan the timing and size of their family and choose the right kind of family planning method that best suits them.
Participants of the activity are about two-hundred parents that mostly came from the central barangays of the capital town. The activity went well with lectures and interactive approaches. Lectures on maternal health and modern family planning were given by Dr. Claudine O. Dirige and Dr. Marjorie L. Chaokas, both from the Bontoc General Hospital.
The speakers said that it is crucial for a couple, especially the women to be aware on their basic responsibilities. Before choosing the right kind of family planning method, the lecturers urged the parents on the need to decide the desired number of children and the timing and spacing.
“It was the right decision to attend the activity, I learned a lot from the speakers and I hope that the organizers of the activity will conduct more like this one in the future to cater to other parents, most especially the young mothers. Life is hard nowadays, especially if you have to support more than two children so it is really important to plan before having more child,” said one of the participant.** Erwin S. Batnag
