24 November 2020, Cagayan de Oro City – Population and Development (PopDev) Week is annually observed on 23-29 November under the Proclamation No. 76 signed by former President Fidel V. Ramos on 20 October 1992. The Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) with the cooperation of the Department of Health (DOH) is mandated to plan, organize and coordinate the activities for the celebration.
This year’s theme: “Addressing Demographic Vulnerabilities during Pandemic” focuses on addressing the country’s concerns on population growth that affects conditions brought by the COVID-19 crisis.
One of the critical health and safety measures to prevent transmission of COVID-19 is physical distancing, however, it is difficult particularly for households living in a small residential unit. POPCOM reported that 27.2% of the 13.867 million population live in 812,584 housing units that are under 20 square meters (sqm) each. A household with an average of 4 members, each has a living space of 4.5 sqm, has a higher chance of being infected with COVID-19.
Undersecretary (Usec) Juan Antonio Perez III said, “Our resiliency against the pandemic and other related crisis situations starts from our decision to form a family. We need to consider our preparedness and capabilities to provide each member their physical, social, emotional, and other pertinent needs.”
“When families are planned well, vulnerabilities diminish; thus, communities can overcome major disasters such as pandemics and natural calamities,” he added.
Population factors like demographic vulnerabilities (e.g. age, sex, health status, location, etc.) should not be underestimated in formulating local development plans to achieve the overall well-being of the people and the community.
Family planning, responsible parenthood and adolescent health among others should not be overlooked and should be considered as part of factors in developing medium to long-term solutions in building resilient families and communities to any possible disaster or emergencies.
Family planning can affect nutrition in direct and indirect ways. A well-spaced birth allows the mother's body to recover and replenish the essential nutrients. Birth spacing allows mothers to have time and energy to breastfeed and/or feed their young children. Further, family planning reduces the likelihood of unintended pregnancy giving children a lesser risk of poor nutrition.
Family planning will not only help you avoid social and health problems but as well as possible financial problems. The family, as the first unit of the community, has a big part in protecting and securing the health, well-being and future of its member. (NO I Arlie Joy O. Damiles)
References:
Commission on Population and Development 2020. Population and Development Week: November 23 to 29 POPCOM: Family planning key to building resiliency vs. pandemic, crisis situations. https://popcom.gov.ph/?p=1444
Flora, I. O. (2020, November 19). PopCom to celebrate PopDev Week November 23 to 29. SunStar Pampanga. Retrieved from https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1877392/Pampanga/Local-News/PopCom-to-celebrate-PopDev-Week-November-23-to-29
Ordinario, O. (2020, November 23). Building resiliency needs family planning–Popcom. Business Mirror. Retrieved from https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/11/23/building-resiliency-needs-family-planning-popcom/
Naik, R. and R. Smith. 2015. Impacts of Family Planning on Nutrition. Health Policy Project. Retrieved from https://www.healthpolicyproject.com/pubs/690_FPandnutritionFinal.pdf
