Regional Director's Corner
RD EDWIN MATEO P. QUIJANO
Welcome to the SOCCSKSARGEN Region (Region XII), home to 4,109,571 tri-people in Mindanao (2010). Our region is composed of 5 provinces and 4 cities. Cotabato Province, including Kidapawan City is the most populous comprising 29.85% of the total population (1,226,508 in 2010). South Cotabato including Koronadal City follow at 20.13% (827,200). Sultan Kudarat and Tacurong City is a close third at 18.18% (747,087) and Sarangani province ranks fourth at 12.14% (498,904). Among the chartered cities, General Santos City has the largest population at 538,086 (13.09%) while Cotabato City accounts for 6.61% share of the total population (271,786) of SOCCSKSARGEN.
The vibrant and fast changing population dynamics of the region plays a crucial role in socio-economic development of its inhabitants. Now, more than ever, every man, woman, couple, and family needs to make more responsible decisions to meet their expressed needs in the timing, spacing and number of their children, attain their sexual and reproductive health rights, access more economic opportunities and consequently secure a better future for the young generation of this region.
Forging a strong partnership with our dedicated and committed population program partners, especially in the Local Government Units, Regional Line Agencies, Non-Government Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, Faith-based groups and International Aid Agencies, it is our hope that the Philippine Population Management Program in the region will be successfully implemented with tangible effects in the years to come.
Together, we will champion our well-being. Together, we will make a difference.
Kilos Abante, Rehiyon Dose!
Services
.
Countdown to Gold
"POPCOM 50th Anniversary"
February 19, 2019
PINOY 100 MILLIONTH BABY TURNS 4: IMPLICATIONS ON HIS TOTAL WELL BEING
- Details
- Written by Super User
- Category: Uncategorised
- Hits: 5
Pinoy 100 millionth baby turns 4: Implications on his total well being
On July 27, 2018, the Philippines’ symbolic 100 millionth babies turn four years old. The Commission on Population (POPCOM) identified four years ago the babies across the country who were born on July 27, 2014, when the Philippines hit its 100 millionth mark in terms of population count.
This year’s celebration as symbolic babies focuses on the theme, “Sa Ika-apat na taon, Pagtataguyod sa Pangkalahatang Kapakanan ni Baby”. POPCOM Regional Offices have been following up the health status of their respective symbolic 100 millionth babies. The monitoring tool will help determine the type of support in terms of nutrition, education, health services, among others, that still needs to be extended to the symbolic babies and their respective families in the coming years.
The 2014 demographic event was an institutional reality-check that the country was then reaching a 100-million population record. In only about four years’ time, today, our country has a population of 106.2 million. This number was projected from Census of Population’s (POPCEN) 100.9 million count in 2015. This makes the country the 13th largest in the world and second biggest in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region according to the ranking of the United Nations Statistical Data.
“Based on the population projections, the Philippine population will increase by 1.8 million by the end of 2018, growing at a rate of 1.69 percent. That means we will be adding 4,965 Filipinos per day, or 206 every hour in 2018,” POPCOM Executive Director Juan Antonio Perez III stated.
The birth of the 100 millionth symbolic babies nationwide remains a challenge to the government as these babies are expected to demand an increase of the family’s capacity to provide for the needs of their children.
“As duty bearers of the society, POPCOM will continue to monitor these babies as a reiteration of our advocacy through the years that every child should be born wanted, and his/her basic rights on social services such as health and education are ensured for his/her total development”, said Dr. Perez. “We aim to provide quality life for the babies and make every Filipino count in the progress and development of the country as the population increases rapidly every year”, Dr. Perez added.
The event four years ago called for paying proactive attention to the importance of maternal and neonatal health as well as promote responsible parenthood and family planning among Filipino families. It was also seen as a challenge to the Philippines as its socio-economic and political situation struggle to give the citizenry a better quality of life.
Referred to as symbolic 100 millionth babies representing the national capital region, baby Chonalyn Sentino’s birth was witnessed by officials from the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) and POPCOM at the Fabella Hospital in Manila. Other babies born on the same date an hour later at 12 midnight nationwide, their birth was witnessed by some local officials.
A four-year old in the Philippines should have been fully immunized, his or her nutritional status monitored, and preparations made for entry to K-12, including assuring birth certification and PhilHealth Coverage. Meanwhile, some of the 100 Millionth babies are also recipients of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program to improve the well-being of their families.
###
2018 WORLD POPULATION DAY HIGHLIGHTS FAMILY PLANNING IS A HUMAN RIGHT
- Details
- Written by Super User
- Category: Uncategorised
- Hits: 4
2018 World Population Day Highlights Family Planning as a Human Right
The Philippines joins the international community as it observes the World Population Day (WPD) on July 11, 2018. The population day is celebrated annually focusing attention on the urgency and importance of population issues. For 2018, the observance banners the theme: “Family Planning is a Human Right”.
For the national celebration, the Commission on Population (POPCOM), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other stakeholders, will hold a Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RPFP) Caravan which aims to provide RPFP information and services to around 800 urban poor communities in Disiplina Village, Bignay, Valenzuela City. These services are Family Planning (FP) Counseling, Medical/Dental services, Pap smear services, laboratory testing, implant insertion and provision of FP commodities.
POPCOM Executive Director Juan Antonio A. Perez III said, “We recognize that access to Family Planning (FP) information and services is a right that everyone is entitled to and we must work together so that nobody will be left behind. Investing in FP is investing in the health and rights of women and couples worldwide for them to be empowered and eventually achieve a better quality of life”, said Dr. Perez. “FP is not just about access to contraceptives but also a human development as we empower them to make their choices”, Dr. Perez added.
Dr. Perez III also stressed that the government is determined to respect, promote and ultimately fulfill the promise of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) law, that is, to provide universal access to family planning information and services for all women and couples.
UNFPA Country Representative Klaus Beck also added that, "When a woman can plan her family, she can plan her life. She can pursue more education, seek and keep better jobs, and contribute more to her family and her country with the benefits carrying over well into the future. This is why it is crucial that we ensure a woman's right to family planning".
According to the 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the fertility rate of women in the Philippines dropped from an average of three children, down to 2.7. However, teenage pregnancy still remains high with 9 percent of women age 15-19 having begun childbearing. PSA data also state that there are more than 200,000 women who are pregnant with 130,000 minors giving birth every year and needing FP and adolescent health services.
Last year, President Duterte issued Executive Order No. 12 to intensify and accelerate the implementation of critical actions necessary to attain and sustain “zero unmet need for modern family planning” for all poor households by 2018 and beyond. He also repeatedly articulated in previous State of the Nation Address the full implementation of the RPRH Law. It can be recalled that the Temporary Restraining Order on the provision of family planning services was lifted in November 2017 when the FDA certified 51 contraceptives as non-abortifacient as required by the Supreme Court’s decision.
The Republic Act No. 10354, otherwise known as “The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012” (RPRH Law), is a landmark legislation that laid the foundation to respect, protect and fulfill the reproductive health and rights of all Filipinos toward better health outcomes, and socioeconomic growth and development.
The RPFP caravan will be held simultaneously with similar activities across regions in collaboration with local government units. The activities include press conferences, fora, media guesting, film showing, provision of FP services, interactive activities on RH with adolescents (U4U) and KATROPA or Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya for men among others.
###
POPCOM TRAINS LEADERS FOR POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT
- Details
- Written by Super User
- Category: Uncategorised
- Hits: 23
PRESS RELEASE
The Commission on Population (POPCOM) will gather its leaders for a symposium on Philippine Population Management Program entitled “Bridging Leaders for Well-Planned Filipino Families and Empowered Society.” This aims to improve the leadership capacity of the agency’s top and middle managers to address population and development issues of the country.
Bridging Leadership (BL), as taught by the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), the organization which assisted POPCOM to capacitate the directors, division chiefs, and assistant division chiefs, is a leadership program and approach for addressing inequities. Solving the external and internal issues of these managers help them to fulfill the mandate of the agency which is to eradicate inequities among Filipinos on accessing health information and services.
The colloquium will engage the Local Government Units (LGUs) in a public narrative through some of the chosen directors of the agency including the Deputy Executive Director Mr. Lolito Tacardon.
“The agency’s top and middle managers learned principles from the bridging leadership which they can apply in their respective offices to solve differences not only for themselves and among their staff but most especially for the Filipino families who are our clients,” said POPCOM Executive Director Juan Antonio Perez III. He will open the program on May 10, 2018 at 9 ‘o clock in the morning.
Present in the event for a panel discussion to discuss pressing health issues are Asec. Abdullah B. Dumama Jr. (DOH), Dr. Dorie Lyn O. Balanoba (ZFF), Dr. Arvin C. Alejandro (Provincial Health Office - Sarangani), and Dr. Rosalinda D. Marcelino (BL Coach).
###
Information Management and Communications Division –
Commission on Population
Tel.: (02) 531-6978; 531-6897
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: www.popcom.gov.ph
Empowering Filipino Families
POPCOM RO XII JOINED THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH CELEBRATION
- Details
- Written by Super User
- Category: Uncategorised
- Hits: 70
The Commission on Population Region XII Office (POPCOM RO XII) joined the International Women’s Day Celebration opening program held at the Old City Hall, Cotabato City, last March 8, 2018.
With the theme “We Make Change Work for Women” this activity kicked off with a parade called “Alay Lakad sa Kababaihan”, at 6 AM from Cotabato City State Polytechnic College to the Old City Hall of Cotabato City. The organizers of this event also sold raffle tickets and hosted a garage sale, the proceeds of which will be used for the benefit of the women inmates of Cotabato City jail.
Various agencies and organizations participated, such as POPCOM R-12, Women’s Empowerment Against Violence and Equality for Social Transformation, Kagkalimwa OFW Federation, Rio Grande Handicraft Association, Mindanao Organization for Social and Economic Progress, Department of Science and Technology, Umpunan ng mga Babai sa Bagua 2, Solo Parents of Cotabato Association, Cotabato City Police Office, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Cotabato Girl Scout Council, City budget Office, Parent Leader’s Set 3A of MB-Kalanganan, Philippine Statistics Authority, Reconciliation Center of Notre Dame Village, Miryamville and Krislamville, Barangay Poblacion 4, Barangay Poblacion 8, Barangay Poblacion 8, Barangay Nenita J. Herrera, Barangay Rosary Heights XIII, Barangay Rosary Heights XII, Barangay Rosary Heights XI, Barangay Rosary Heights IX, and Barangay Rosary Heights I.
The National Women’s Month Celebration is a month-long celebration observed annually during the month of March. The International Women’s Day is observed every 8th of March around the world.
###
Juwairiyah bint Emran Mohamad, NDU BACom 3
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
0915-972-4472
----
Communication Unit
Commission on Population XII
Phone: (064) 421 5595
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.