IMPLEMENTATION. Commission on Population and Development Executive Director Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales shares the agency’s accomplishments the previous year during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon forum on Monday (Jan. 8, 2024). She also reported on the Commission's plans and programs for 2024. (Screenshot from PTV FB Page livestream)
MANILA – The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) assured on Monday that the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action (PPD-POA), approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in November 2023, is being implemented by national government agencies (NGAs) and local government units (LGUs).
In an interview in the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon forum on Monday, CPD Executive Director Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales reminded NGAs anew of the President's directive stated in Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 40, which adopted the PPD-POA 2023-2028.
"In accordance with their respective mandates, all concerned agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations are hereby directed, and all LGUs are hereby encouraged, to undertake efforts in support of the implementation of the PPD-POA 2023-2028, and the plans and programs specified therein," MC No. 40 read.
Bersales said even before President Marcos approved the PPD-POA, the CPD had already started implementing several initiatives such as signing of agreements with LGUs to help them focus on population issues and provide better lives and opportunities for their constituents through advocacies concerning reproductive health, responsible parenthood, and family planning.
"Marami po tayong natulungang mga LGU na maka-usap nila ng mabuti ang kanilang mga kababayan, mga mag-asawa na mabigyan ng suporta kung ano ang gusto nilang bilang ng kanilang mga anak (We helped a lot of LGUs in engaging their constituents, couples to give them support in determining which number of children they want to have)," she said.
The CPD chief also cited that the Seal of Local Good Governance has included in its criteria the establishment of teen centers in cities and municipalities and the designation of population officers who will help make sure that the PPD-POA is implemented in the grassroots level.
"Magtulong-tulong po tayo na mapaayos ang ating mga buhay-buhay. At kasama na dun talaga ang pagpili ng bilang ng mga anak at ‘yung ating mga kabataan ay tulungan po natin talaga na sila naman po ay magkaroon ng ambisyon sa buhay nila para naman sila po ay mag-aral ng mabuti at gawin nila ‘yung kanilang mga hinahangad sa buhay. At ‘yun na po ‘yung (Let us work together in improving our lives. And it we really have to include there how to plan for the number of our children and let us also help our youth to have their own ambition in life so they will study hard and achieve their goals. And that is) human capital development," Bersales said.
Under the MC No. 40, the CPD was directed by the President to coordinate, collaborate and establish institutional partnerships with concerned government agencies and other stakeholders to ensure the attainment of the goals and objectives of the PPD-POA through whole-of-government approach.
The Commission will also monitor and assess its implementation in all levels and submit annual reports to the Office of the President.
Comprehensive population and development research will also be undertaken by the CPD with analysis of population database that will be the basis of public awareness and enable NGAs and LGUs to address impacts of population dynamics in socioeconomic development.
The CPD crafted the PPD-POA 2023-2028 "to serve as an overall blueprint for the inter-agency collaboration in optimizing demographic condition in increasing its capacity to bring back the country to a high-growth trajectory and enable economic and social transformation for a prosperous, inclusive and resilient society."
Bersales said the CPD is set to continue its campaign to help Filipino adolescents achieve their goals in life.
She said the measure is also part of the government’s human capital development plan which concerns all members of Filipino families.
“Ang isa nating ginagawa ay adolescent development. Ito naman po iyong mga tulong at mga initiatives para ang ating mga kabataan na matulungan na iyong kanilang buhay ay mapabuti na malagay sa ayos, involving iyong kanilang sekswalidad (One thing that we’re doing is the adolescent plan. This is an initiative for our youth so they can be properly guided in life, involving their sexuality),” she said.
Bersales said the establishment of teen centers in cities and municipalities would help local leaders guide adolescents to become productive members of society. (with a report from Ma. Teresa Montemayor/PNA)
