MANILA -- The renaming of Commission on Population (POPCOM) to Commission on Population and Development (CPD) as stated in Executive Order 71 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last December 13 drew support from Secretary Ernesto Pernia of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Secretary Francisco Duque III of the Department of Health (DOH).
Both Secretaries believe the move strengthens the implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law (RPRH).
“We will certainly step up the implementation of the RPRH Law, which will benefit all Filipino families,” said Pernia.
With its return to NEDA and by virtue of Presidential Decree 79, the Commission on Population and Development was tasked to formulate and adopt policies on population as it relates to economic and social development. Consistent with the implementation of the population policy, CPD (POPCOM) should undertake a national program of family planning which respects the religious beliefs and values of our citizens.
“We support President Duterte’s commitment to assist Filipinos in Family Planning through the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law. The Department of Health will continue to work with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and other agencies toward achieving our mutual goals.” said Duque.
“With the decision of the President, POPCOM’s mandate clarified its role in the national family planning program as an integrator of all government efforts in this area, together with the support of its former mother agency, DOH, and with the guidance of NEDA.” said POPCOM CPD Executive Director Dr. Juan Antonio A. Perez III.
“Change is inevitable as it is bound to happen in every organization. But what remains the same is our commitment to continue what we have started since our agency’s creation almost 50 years ago. We will take the lead in contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of all Filipino families by empowering them through responsible parenting, family planning, adolescent health and development, and population and development integration.” he added.
POPCOM was an attached agency of NEDA from 1991 until 2003 before its supervision was placed under the DOH through EO 188 of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. (PR)
