Family planning is important to prevent poverty; progestin subdermal implant insertion contraceptive can be used - Kalinga PHO

Tabuk City, Kalinga – In a move to expand its reproductive health services, the Office of the Provincial Health Officer (OPHO), under the leadership of PHO II Dr. Edward Tandingan, conducted a family planning outreach program at the Barangay Health Station in Apatan, Pinukpuk on April 8, 2026.

As part of the Department of Health’s National Family Planning Program, the OPHO carried out the outreach in partnership with the Municipal Health Office of Pinukpuk, reinforcing efforts to bring essential reproductive health services closer to underserved communities.

The program offered progestin subdermal implant insertion, a long-acting and reversible contraceptive method inserted under the skin of the upper arm that provides protection against pregnancy for up to three years.

During the outreach, OPHO Midwife II Javie Claire M. Pawid highlighted that the main goal of family planning is to help prevent poverty, emphasizing that it enables families to seek employment and earn income to support their household.

“Maysa nga intervention tayo daytoy nga family planning tapno maiwasan tayo ti kumarkaru a poverty, kasi nu nag birth spacing ka, mabalin mo nga ibati ti baby, mapan ka agtrabaho ken agbiruk ti mabalin mo nga panggedan tapno adda mausar yo,” said Pawid.

Pawid also explained that the implant is effective for up to three years and may come with side effects, which can be managed with proper hydration.

“Ti implant ket 3 years ti effectivity na. Nu maikabil jay implant, ti mariknam a side effects ket sakit ti ulo ken mabalin met nga maulaw… nu haan ka uminom danum, ma-dehydrate ka,” Pawid added.

Through these initiatives, the OPHO, together with its partners, aims to empower families in the province to plan their futures, manage resources, and improve overall health and well-being.