TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Philippines to intensify drive offering free contraceptives

  (Associated Press)
Manila
Wed, January 11, 2017

Share This Article

Change Size

Philippines to intensify drive offering free contraceptives Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, fifth from left, looks up as he leads the flag-raising ceremony to commemorate the 120th death anniversary of the country's National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal Friday, Dec. 30, 2016 in Manila, Philippines. (AP/Bullit Marquez)

P

hilippine President Rodrigo Duterte has directed government agencies to ensure free access to contraceptives for 6 million poor women — a move expected to be opposed by the dominant Roman Catholic church and pro-life groups.

Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said Wednesday the intensified drive to make contraceptives available and ensure "zero unmet need for family planning," is important to reduce poverty. The government's target is to cut the poverty rate from 21.6 percent in 2015 to 14 or 13 percent by the end of Duterte's term in 2022.

The executive order Duterte signed Monday says 2 million women from poor households with unmet needs for modern contraception should have access to them by 2018, and the rest thereafter.

{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.