'Family planning di lang pambabae, panlalaki din... shared responsibility po ito' – OPHO PPO IV Callangan on family planning intervention

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Population Program Officer IV Christel Joanna A. Callangan underscored the importance of family planning, emphasizing that it is a shared responsibility between husband and wife, during a family outreach program in Apatan, Pinukpuk on April 8, 2026.

The Department of Health (DOH) defines family planning as a program that enables couples and individuals to freely and responsibly decide the number and spacing of their children through the use of safe and effective contraceptive methods.

In collaboration with the Municipal Health Office of Pinukpuk and barangay health workers, the Office of the Provincial Health Officer (OPHO), under the leadership of Dr. Edward Tandingan, conducted an outreach program offering progestin subdermal implants (PSI), a long-acting and reversible contraceptive method inserted under the skin that prevents pregnancy for several years.

During the program, Callangan emphasized that family planning decisions should be made jointly by couples, highlighting that responsibility must be equally shared within the family.

“Ang family planning po ay pinagdedesisyunan ng mag-asawa; hindi lamang po ito para sa babae. Dapat po itong pinag-uusapan ng mag-asawa… shared responsibility po ang pagdedesisyon, ang pagkakaroon, at ang pag-aalaga ng pamilya,” said Callangan.

She also added that under the Adolescent Health and Development Program, their main goal is to prevent teenage pregnancy and reduce repeat pregnancies, emphasizing that proper birth spacing can help improve women’s reproductive health.

“Ang main goal ay maiwasan ang teenage pregnancy at maiwasan ang repeat pregnancy… magandang intervention ito lalo na kapag nagbuntis at nanganak ang isang bata.

Tutulungan natin sila na maiwasan ang muling pagbubuntis para makapag-develop muna ang katawan at makapag-recharge. Mahirap po kung sunod-sunod ang pagbubuntis lalo na kung hindi pa developed ang reproductive health, lalo na sa ating mga kabataan,” Callangan added.

The outreach program forms part of the province’s continuing efforts to strengthen reproductive health services and promote responsible parenthood among communities, particularly in remote areas.