Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada on Thursday led the celebration of the Annual Family Planning Month to raise awareness and access of Manileños to various family planning methods at the Universidad De Manila.
Speaking before hundreds of parents, health workers and students, the Manila chief executive also urged the couples in the audience to be open-minded on family planning because the growing population is a main concern of the city government.
The celebration was attended by Dr. Benjamin Yson, officer in charge of the Manila Health Department, Dr. Criselda V. Coroza, City Family Planning head, officials of the Population Commission, and several nongovernmental organizations.
“Population has a great impact in our city, and one of my objectives is to give every family here a good life by providing them free education, hospitalization, and job opportunities,” Estrada said.
“From health to education, and later on to job opportunities, I want all our young people to have what they need to succeed in life,” added Estrada, who is seeking his last term in the coming local elections.
The mayor also cited President Rodrigo Duterte, who ordered the intensified implementation of the country’s family planning program.
“In his most recent State of the Nation Address or SONA, President Duterte said family planning has been a priority program of his government for the past two years, along it one of the solutions to poverty,” Estrada said.
The mayor also told the parents they should not believe in the traditional beliefs in family planning, but instead in methods through modern science and medical technology.
The month of August has been designated as the National Family Planning Month, a celebration that centers on the attainment of a better quality of life for parents and the family as a whole.
He said the importance of family planning must be tackled and addressed with logic and reason, not hysteria.
“Let’s not take this for granted. Your support for this [family planning] is also your support for our city’s development,” Estrada added.
