The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) is intensifying efforts to encourage more Filipino men to become active partners in family planning, saying responsible parenthood goes beyond providing financial support.
Speaking during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon program on Friday, CPD Deputy Executive Director Lolito Tacardon said raising a family should be a shared responsibility between husbands and wives.
“Ang pagbuo at pagsusuporta at pagsiguro na maging maginhawa ang pamilya ay shared responsibility po ito between the wife and the husband,” Tacardon said.
He stressed that fathers are also expected to provide emotional, psychological, and other forms of support for their families.
“Hindi lamang siya taga-provide ng financial support… pati emotional, psychological and other non-financial needs ng pamilya,” he added.
Despite government campaigns, Tacardon said male participation in family planning remains below one percent, although more men have started availing themselves of no-scalpel vasectomy and other family planning methods.
He attributed the low participation to persistent misconceptions that vasectomy affects masculinity or causes impotence.
Tacardon clarified that these beliefs have no medical basis, explaining that the procedure does not reduce testosterone levels, alter physical appearance, or affect sexual performance.
Instead, he encouraged couples to consult healthcare professionals when choosing the most suitable family planning method.
To boost awareness, the CPD continues to expand its KATROPA (Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya) program, which promotes peer-to-peer education through workplaces, community groups, transport organizations, farmers’ associations, cooperatives, the police, the military, and other male-dominated sectors.
The agency is also encouraging government offices and private companies to integrate the program into their gender and development initiatives.
Tacardon reminded the public that no-scalpel vasectomy is available free of charge at government health facilities and is covered by PhilHealth, with referrals available through rural health units and partner organizations.
“As fathers and as the so-called pillars of the family, our responsibility is not only to provide financially but also to help ensure the health, welfare and comfortable future of our families,” Tacardon said, urging more men to participate in responsible parenthood programs.
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