B ased on 2010 Census, it was estimated that on July 27, 2014 at 12:06 a.m., the

Philippines would be a home to 100 million Filipinos.

Commission on Population-NCR Regional Director Lolito Tacardon said that the birth of

the 100 millionth Filipino baby marks a celebration of life and a prospect for another productive

citizen, at the same time a challenge to development.

“The birth of the 100 millionth baby is an opportunity to highlight the importance of the

Philippine Population Management Program (PPMP) in pursuing national and local development

for the people. This is also a reiteration of POPCOM’s advocacy that every child should be born

wanted, and her basic rights on social services are provided,” said Tacardon.

He added that the future might be uncertain for the 100 millionth baby as he/she will

compete with the rest of the increasing Pinoys in securing the needed goods and services for

their survival, but he/she will be a prospect of significant human resource

that can drive the country towards sustainable development.

With this significant milestone in the context of population

growth, POPCOM recognized the birth of the 100 symbolic 100

millionth babies from the 17 regions of the country. In NCR, the

search for the 100 millionth Pinoy baby was held at Jose Fabella

Memorial Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Welcoming Chonalyn, the symbolic

100 Millionth Pinoy Baby in NCR

On July 27, 2014 at 12:35 a.m., the Commission on

Population-National Capital Region (POPCOM-NCR)

welcomed the birth of the 100 millionth symbolic baby

representing Metro Manila.

Continued on page 2

PHILIPPINE POPULATION HIT 100 PHILIPPINE POPULATION HIT 100 PHILIPPINE POPULATION HIT 100

MILLION ON JULY 27MILLION ON JULY 27MILLION ON JULY 27

Born at Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial

Hospital, the baby was named Chonalyn

Sentino who weighed 2.8 kilos and measured

45 centimeters.

She is the first born child of live-in

couple Dailin Cabigayan, a former nanny from

Sampaloc, Manila and Clemente Sentino Jr.,

a delivery truck driver from Antipolo City.

POPCOM-NCR Regional Director

Lolito Tacardon said that Chonalyn is one of

the 100 symbolic babies recognized

nationwide to mark the 100 million

population of the country. She received a

starter kit worth P5,000.00 and a lifetime

Philhealth membership.

Meanwhile, POPCOM Executive

Director Juan Antonio Perez III said that the

birth of the 100 millionth baby will serve as a

benchmark of the government on whether it is

providing basic services to its population.

Likewise, the 100 symbolic babies are

representations of the needs of the people for

government services.

He added that the symbolic babies all

over the country will be monitored to ensure

that they are provided with the basic

services, specifically along health and

education.

Dailin and Clemente were happy for

the recognition they received. They both

look forward to ensure a better future for

their daughter. In fact, they also intend to get

married in Dailin’s hometown in Samar.

At present, Clemente is the only one

working as a delivery driver for a food

company based in Pasig City. With his

meager income of P3,000 per month, he

hopes to be able to support for the needs of

Chonalyn.

The recognition of the symbolic

babies was done in close coordination with

the Department of Health (DOH) and its

attached agencies, which include the

Commission on Population, Philippine

Health Insurance Corp. (PHILHEALTH),

National Nutrition Council (NNC), as well as

local government units and partner

agencies.

The projected count of 100 millionth

baby is based only on the population count

of the country based on 2010 Population

Census, not counting the Filipinos overseas.

From page 1… Population hit 100 Million

MORE WOMEN ACCEPT IMPLANT AS MEANS MORE WOMEN ACCEPT IMPLANT AS MEANS MORE WOMEN ACCEPT IMPLANT AS MEANS

TO PLAN THE FAMILYTO PLAN THE FAMILYTO PLAN THE FAMILY

Roselyn Marquez from Tondo, Manila, is a 17 year old young mother of three children

aged three, two and five months old. She gave birth to her first child when she was 14 years

old, to her second child a year after and only five months ago, she gave birth again to her

third child.

Worried about her growing family and their capacity as a couple to provide for the

basic needs of all her children, she decided to use injectables as her family planning method

after giving birth to her third child. This time around, she opted to try implant to experience

the convenience offered by the method, “para hindi na ako mag pabalik-balik, hindi naman

masakit at para hindi na dumami ang anak ko,” she explained.

Continued on page 3 2

From page 2… More women accept implant

Felipe Dicoy, 35, was also in UP-PGH

with his wife Jocelyn, 30, to join her for FP

counseling and for implant insertion. The

couple from Delpan, Manila has already six

children but their second child died at the age

of two. Their youngest is only 19 days old.

Jocelyn already wanted to avail of

bilateral tubal ligation right after giving birth to

her last child but her OB advised her to wait

for six months. Out of fear of getting pregnant

again in the next six months, Jocelyn with full

support from her husband decided to be an

implant acceptor.

Implant is a convenient and safe form of

modern artificial contraceptive inserted under

the woman’s skin. Each implant lasts for three

years.

Roselyn and Jocelyn are among the 62

women from the City of Manila who accepted

implant as their family planning method in

achieving their desired timing and birth

spacing during the celebration of the Family

Planning Month in the City of Manila on

August 28, 2014 at UP-Philippine General

Hospital (PGH).

Family Planning Month is celebrated

during the month of August. The celebration

drumbeats the significance of empowering

couples and individuals to have the number,

timing, and spacing of children they want

within the context of responsible

parenthood. For this year, the FP Month

banners the theme “Ang planadong buhay ay

maayos na buhay.”

The FP Month in Manila was celebrated

through the Manila City Health Department in

close collaboration with Likhaan Center for

Women’s Health and in coordination with the

Commission on Population-National Capital

Region.

The FP celebration in Manila draws its

significance from the effort of the city to ensure

access of women to various family planning

methods of their choice.

(Left photo) Actual implant insertion to Roselyn Marquez

and (right photo) Felipe and Jocelyn Dicoy with their 19 days

old baby after the implant insertion.

What is the contraceptive implant?

The contraceptive implant is a small

flexible tube about 40mm long that is

inserted under the skin of the woman’s

upper arm. It is inserted by a trained

professional, such as a doctor, and lasts for

three years.

The implant stops the release of an

egg from the ovary by slowly releasing

progestogen into your body. Progestogen

thickens the cervical mucus and thins the

womb lining. This makes it harder for

sperm to move through your cervix, and

less likely for your womb to accept a

fertilized egg. (source: www.nhs.uk)

3

POPCOMPOPCOMPOPCOM---NCR reaches to street families NCR reaches to street families NCR reaches to street families “Kung alam ko lang na may ‘Family Planning’ program ang ating gobyerno, sana hindi

na dumami ang mga anak ko.”

Those were the words of Jayson Tuquero, 27 years old and one of the 200 street families who joined the Family Camp organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development-National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR), held on May 21, 2014 at Island Cove, Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite.

Jayson was with his live-in partner, Joan Flores, 32 years old and his six children whose ages are 10, 9, 8, 5, 2 years old and four months old.

“Mahirap ang may maraming anak lalo na sa katulad ko na walang regular na hanapbuhay. Nakikipasada lang ako ng side car. Pag walang pasada, walang pagkain ang pamilya ko,” narrated Jayson.

Jayson’s family lives along the street of San Miguel, near the Malacañang Palace. They are one of the hundreds of street families in Metro Manila that were accounted by DSWD-NCR to benefit from its various interventions for the street children and street families through its Comprehensive Program.

As partner of DSWD in strengthening Filipino families, POPCOM-NCR was among the agencies that heeded to provide services for the homeless street families from the cities of Parañaque, Manila, Quezon City, Pasay and Makati who participated in the Family Camp. Some 250 participants composed of couples, and men and women of reproductive age were provided with information on Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RP-FP) and FP counseling by the Family Planning Coordinators, community health workers and volunteers from the cities of Marikina and Navotas.

A total of 31 individuals (WRA) who have unmet need for FP were able to avail of the on-site provision of FP commodities (pills and injectable).

Jayson and Joan were among the couples who actively participated in the session on RP-FP that opened their minds on the importance of having a well-planned family.

“Ang gusto ko lang sana talagang anak ay dalawa hanggang tatlo kaso dumami na sila e, kaya dapat hindi na madagdagan pa,” said Joan.

After the RP-FP session, she expressed her intention to the assigned health volunteer to avail of contraceptive pills as her family planning method. She was also advised to visit the nearest health cen-ter for further consultation and to avail her preferred FP method.

4

Parañaque City supports Parañaque City supports Parañaque City supports

KATROPAKATROPAKATROPA

Parañaque City Mayor Edwin L. Olivares

expressed his support for the creation of KAT-

ROPA advocates in his locality to promote

men’s involvement in maternal, newborn, and

child health and nutrition (MNCHN).

During the courtesy call led by POPCOM-NCR

Regional Director Bhoyet Tacardon and City

Health Officer Dr. Olga Virtusio last November

17, 2014, together with the trained city and

barangay officials from barangays San

Dionisio, San Antonio, Marcelo Green and Don

Bosco, Mayor Olivares expressed his

appreciation to POPCOM for the initiative and

immediately instructed the City Health Office

to sustain the activities which have been

started.

“We can include the budget for your (CHO)

proposed activities in the 2015 GAD projects,”

said Mayor Olivares as he instructed

Dr. Virtusio.

KATROPA aims to mobilize group of males as

partners in promoting MNCHN and responsi-

ble parenthood.

5

“Sa training na ito, naunawaan ko kung paano

mapapaunlad ang samahan ng mag-asawa at

tumanin sa isip ko na ang unang hakbang sa pagpigil

sa karahasan ay ang pagkilala at paggalang sa

karapatan ng bawat isa,” said Arsenio Bernardo,

Kagawad of Brgy. Don Bosco, Parañaque City.

Kagawad Arce, as he is fondly called, was one

of the participants in the training of Advocates Among

City and Barangay Officials on KATROPA (Kalalakihang

Tapat sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya)

initiated by the Commission on Population-National

Capital Region (POPCOM-NCR) for the officials of the

City of Parañaque, held on August 18-20, 2014 in

Baler, Aurora.

The two-day training was participated by

barangay officials from the four barangays of

Parañaque—San Dionisio, Sto. Niño, Don Bosco and

Marcelo Green.

It aimed to provide information and skills to

the male participants on how to become effective in

making decisions about their own health and that of

their families, and to involve men in reducing maternal

deaths and improving women’s health.

“We want to equip the men in the

communities with the necessary knowledge and skills

on responsible parenting and maternal, child health

care and nutrition (MNCHN), and to create advocates

at the community level who can be mobilized for the

development of needed policies and programs related

to Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning and

MNCHN,” Director Tacardon said.

During the training, the participants were

taught about human sexuality, healthy lifestyle,

strengthening husband-wife relationship, responsible

parenting, family planning, laws protecting women

and children, gender and development and their roles

as KATROPA.

The trained officials are expected to roll-out

the gathered information and skills to their respective

community through conduct of various activities

promoting men’s involvement.

Parañaque City Barangay Parañaque City Barangay Parañaque City Barangay

Officials train on KATROPAOfficials train on KATROPAOfficials train on KATROPA

RP-FP orientation for DSWD Pantawid Pamilya City/Municipal Links,

Health Workers and Volunteers

Series of orientations were conducted for the Municipal/City links and Social Welfare Assistants of DSWD-NCR who are involved in the implementation of Pantawid Pamilyang Program and LGU health workers and volunteers.

These orientations aim to inform them about POPCOM’s Philippine Population Management Program and its components which include the Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning Program (RP-FP), Adolescent Health and Youth Development (AHYD) and Population and Development (POPDEV).

The discussion on the RP-FP component was highlighted during the orientations which were also intended to capacitate them in facilitating RP-FP classes specifically FDS Module 2.2 for the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya.

A total of 304 DSWD CLs and Social Welfare Assistants and 155 Population Officers, Health Workers and volunteers have benefited from the one-day RP-FP orientation series.

6

PMC Supplemental Guidelines for Muslim couples PMC Supplemental Guidelines for Muslim couples PMC Supplemental Guidelines for Muslim couples discussed in Orientation with Imam discussed in Orientation with Imam discussed in Orientation with Imam

Twenty-two (22) Muslim leaders from different LGUs in Metro Manila were oriented about the Pre-Marriage Counseling Supplemental Guidelines for Muslim couples last November 24, 2014. POPCOM-NCR Regional Director Lolito R. Tacardon welcomed the participants and lauded the efforts of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) office in NCR for showing care for the family and environment regardless of religious affiliations. He said that the advocacy on Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RP-FP) is inclusive across different

religions and thus, promotion among parents to achieve their desired number of children and when to have them (space) is everybody’s responsibility.

He also challenged the participants the opportunity to gather and learn from the information that would be provided because it will aid them in ensuring healthy and empowered Muslim Filipino families.

IMPLICATIONS OF POLICY AND PROGRAMS IMPLICATIONS OF POLICY AND PROGRAMS IMPLICATIONS OF POLICY AND PROGRAMS

TO 100 MILLION PINOYS DISCUSSED IN A POPULATION SUMMITTO 100 MILLION PINOYS DISCUSSED IN A POPULATION SUMMITTO 100 MILLION PINOYS DISCUSSED IN A POPULATION SUMMIT

As the Philippine population reached its 100

million mark, we are challenged to balance the

dependency ratio, fertility and working age group to

achieve the country’s desired sustainable

development, said POPCOM Executive Director Juan

Antonio Perez III during the Population and

Development Summit held on November 25, 2014 at

Icon Hotel in Quezon City.

The Population and Development Summit

gathered some 100 stakeholders in Metro Manila

composed of representatives from the National Government Agencies, Local Government Units, Non-

Government Organizations and the academe and discussed the impending demographic and socio-

economic challenges and opportunities confronting the Metropolitan Manila & the country as a whole.

POPCOM-NCR Regional Director Lolito R. Tacardon explained that the main causes of population

growth in Metro Manila are migration and fertility. Notably, population growth in Metro Manila is

brought about by migration since NCR is considered as the center of development where people see

more opportunities to improve their living conditions.

“In fact, 13 for every 100 Filipinos are living in Metro Manila and

the population is growing at 1.78% annually. The daily activities of the

members of the population are interrelated with population change,

patterns and levels of use of natural resources, the state of the

environment, and pace and quality of economic and social development,”

Director Tacardon added.

Director Tacardon also presented the population pyramid of NCR

and highlighted the bulge in the graph involving part of the working ages,

particularly 15-29 years old which was further confirmed in the

presentation of Regional Director Alex Avila of DOLE-NCR.

Director Avila said, unemployment or underemployment is one of the implications when there is

a high proportion of those in the working age population which is now estimated to be around 2.2

million in NCR. He mentioned that there are only few employment opportunities and so the need to

strengthen partnership with employers and partners to achieve industrial peace.

DOLE is challenged to provide employment opportunities for the residents of Metro Manila

especially those who are 15-24 years old as they are the ones who have greater chances for

employment.

Dir. Lourdes Homecillo of the Philippine Statistics Authority-NCR; Dr. Victoria R. Mayo of

Department of Education-NCR; Mr. Erwin Egamino of DILG-NCR; and Ms. Janette Conocido of

PHILHEALTH were the other presenters during this summit.

“13 for every 100

Filipinos are living

in Metro Manila

and the population

is growing at 1.78%

annually.”

7

In my opinion, having a small family is easier. There would be fewer problems in the family than in large families. You would be sure that the children can go to school and eat healthy food. The children would be sure that their parents would love them equally. But if there is an argument, you could easily apologize to each other and be happy together again. Plus, you would have a budget that is more flexible and your schedule would be more organized to spend more quality time with the whole family.

Having a big family on the other hand will assure you that you won’t feel lonely. If your parents are busy, then you could spend time with your other siblings and enjoy your time together. You and your siblings could take turns in doing the chores and you could help and support each other physically, mentally and emotionally. For family bonding time, you could go rent a clubhouse at the beach or in the province and have an amazing vacation. And as the years go by, you could have a big family reunion that could remind you that you are happy with your big family.

GOOD THINGS ABOUT HAVING A SMALL AND A BIG FAMILY

By: Dashielle Jansen D. Hilvano

Dashielle Jansen D. Hilvano is a Grade VII pupil of Casa

Del Niño Montessori and Science High School in San

Pedro, Laguna. She is an achiever and loves reading books,

drawing, trying new things and very keen into details.

thethethecitycitycityzenszenszens When time comes that I will have my own family, I am into the idea of a small family so my children and I would be closer to each other. As a teenager looking forward to a successful future of our generation, I encourage the newly-weds and the soon-to-be parents to be responsible in planning a family. Having a family is not like a game that you can exit and delete, having a family is facing responsibility and learning to understand more. Family is about loving and understanding each other despite the flaws in their

The c it yz ens i s a per i o d i c publication of the Commission on PopulationNational Capital Region (POPCOM-NCR) that discusses various emerging population issues as they relate to development concerns in Metro Manila. Cityzens indicate “people or citizens living in the city.”

This issue focuses on the various activities of the Region in implement-ing and promoting Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RP-FP) as one component of the Philippine Population Management Program (PPMP).

For comments/suggestions: Tel No.: 531-6650

E-mail: ncr.popcom.gov.ph Facebook: Commission on Population-NCR

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