BIRTH PLAN BOOST: Iloilo Sees Rise in Modern Contraceptive Use

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The use of modern contraceptive methods among women of reproductive age in Iloilo has steadily increased since 2022, reflecting the province’s progress in expanding access to family planning services.

As of 2024, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) reported that the province’s Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) reached 36.85%, or 185,475 users out of a target population of 503,294 women aged 15 to 49.

In 2022, the CPR stood at 32.09%, or 169,630 users, rising to 35.90% in 2023 with 182,057 women using modern contraceptives.

The Department of Health (DOH) has set a national CPR target of 30%.

“By achieving DOH’s target for contraceptive prevalence rate, we have successfully expanded access to family planning services to the majority of women of reproductive age,” said Rodney R. Labis, head of the Health Service Delivery Division of IPHO.

Labis said the increase in CPR supports proper birth spacing, improves maternal and child health, and reduces deaths related to unplanned pregnancies.

“It also empowers women and their families to make informed choices, enabling them to better focus their resources on nurturing and developing their households,” he added.

Labis noted that the province’s family planning program is mainly carried out by local health offices through municipal health officers, nurses, midwives, and barangay health workers.

In 2024, 29 towns reached at least 30% CPR.

The town of Lemery posted the highest CPR at 67.39%, followed by San Enrique (62.60%), San Dionisio (56.91%), Sara (52.11%), and Carles (51.04%).

According to IPHO data, birth control pills remain the most commonly used method, with 82,084 users or 44% of total users.

This is followed by injectables with 36,433 users, and natural family planning through the Lactational Amenorrhea Method with 14,733 users.

Other popular methods include intrauterine devices (IUD) with 13,827 users and bilateral tubal ligation (BTL) with 11,908 users.

There are also 212 men who underwent vasectomy to support family planning efforts.

The IPHO said the increased use of modern contraceptives has helped reduce the total number of live births.

Over recent years, the province has consistently recorded fewer than 20,000 live births, with 2024 estimates at around 19,500.

To enhance the program, the IPHO established a Family Planning Training Center in Pavia — the first PHO-managed training facility of its kind in the country.

The center aims to strengthen the capacity of local health workers to deliver quality, client-centered services aligned with national reproductive health standards.

Since opening in 2024, the center has trained nearly 100 family planning service providers.

Labis said the IPHO is allocating its own budget to procure additional supplies, as DOH does not fully meet the province’s commodity needs.

He added that the IPHO is also helping local government units (LGUs) procure and distribute supplies for family planning.

Labis urged LGUs to allocate part of their local budgets for family planning programs and seek PhilHealth accreditation to access additional funds through the state insurer.