Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, Inc.

By Wein P. Gadian

Medical Mission

The alarming increase of population in the country has caused many individuals to seek help in Family Planning. Discussing family planning is not just giving out condoms, pills and more but also on caring for our reproductive health (RH). One organization that has been serving its clients especially women is the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, Inc. (FPOP). It is a private, non-stock, and non-profit voluntary organization that promotes quality of life through RH care service delivery, information, education and communication (IEC) activities; and policy advocacy initiatives. It is also the leading NGO RH champion and one of the oldest FP NGOs. It has the widest national network/coverage across the country. And the only RH NGO, with a strong binary structure, with volunteers coming from strategic sectors of society, backed up by professional staff.

Mother's Class

FPOP was founded by Dr. Jose Catindig (PPMP) and Dr. Gregorio Lim (FPAP) in August 4, 1969 through the merging of two separate and dynamic organizations: the Planned Parenthood Movement of the Philippines (PPMP) and the Family Planning Association of the Philippines (FPAP). Now it has 26 chapters and 8 community health care clinics (CHCC) to 40 provinces in the country. It is also an affiliate of International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), the world's largest voluntary family planning organization.

FPOP has a binary organizational structure. These are the national and chapter –based volunteers and professional staff. It has volunteers within the organization and program volunteers at the community level. These volunteers serve as FPOP's link to the community as a contraceptive distributor, community educator, and community organizer. Thus, realizing its vision of empowering families and communities and also taking full responsibility of their health and quality life.

What they do?

Campus Tour

RH is not only a concern of women but of people from all walks of life. Men and women have a different reproductive organ, thus RH is necessary to both. The concern on sexually Transmitted Diseases is also for men, women, and all those who are sexually active. Family planning as a way of life and Reproductive Health as an integral part of individual well-being and development are FPOP's thrusts. With these, it promotes life through its RH Care Service Delivery, Reproductive Health Advocacy Project in Philippines (RHAPP) and Development and Family Life Education for the Youth (DAFLEY).

RH Care Service Delivery is designed for those who are in communities and lack enough information on RH. And with people who are sexually active in these communities, pills, contraceptives and other family planning methods are just bought over the counter. And thus causes some effects to those who were not properly educated how to use such. With this, FPOP's conviction on educating people on this matter are realized thru the various activities for couples, adolescents, men, women etc. to help them in family planning and reproductive health. Thus counseling, information disseminations and community education programs are organized. Thru these activities, FPOP ensures its chapters and Community Health Care Clinics provide a comprehensive package of family planning or RH health services. These packages include legally and medically safe family planning methods, the maternal and child health care services. Other concerns that it provides to its clients are health and nutrition, gender sensitivity, prevention and management of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) like HIV/AIDs. Violence against women, children, men's RH an involvement in Family Planning, Breasts and reproductive tract cancers and other gynecological conditions, RH for older persons and adolescent sexuality and RH.

Women's Rights with Cynthia Patag

The Reproductive Health Advocacy in the Philippines Project (RHAPP), is FPOP's advocacy for a positive policy environment for RH-related issues at the national and sub-national (local governments and regions) levels. It is also empowerment of Filipino women, men and the youth in with the Participatory Reproductive Health Advocay Workshops in baranggays, National and Regional Fora for Advocates among others. They also have national and local legislations for RH and Population.

Another thrust of FPOP is educating the youth. In DAFLEY project, it addresses the dynamic needs and concerns of adolescents and youth. This services for young people include interactive counseling through media, telephone, internet, or face-to-face counseling. Others are done in training peer counselors, educators, symposia, forums, referral to clinics and professionals for medical related and RH concerns.

For any RH concern you may check on their website at www.fpop.org.com . In Iloilo contact them at 508-8802 or visit them at Iloilo Mission Hospital Compound.