The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) agrees with the Department of Health (DOH) that beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program are provided with the proper information on family planning during their attendance to the monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS).

This is contrary to the claim made by an anti-Reproductive Health group over the weekend that Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries are forced to take contraceptive implants.

“We do not force the beneficiaries to use any contraceptive.  Part of the topics discussed during the FDS for Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries is on family planning method .We discuss both the natural and artificial methods, and the beneficiaries themselves decide on what method to use depending on their culture, faith, and agreement with their spouses,” DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said.

Attendance to FDS is one of the conditions of the Pantawid Pamilya that beneficiaries have to comply with to continue receiving the cash grants.

Sec. Soliman pointed out that the use of contraceptives is not a condition for the beneficiaries to their receive cash grants.

FDS is conducted monthly by DSWD and partners from non-government organizations, private sector, and civil society organizations. It serves as a venue where topics on effective parenting, husband and wife relationships, child development, laws affecting the Filipino family, gender and development and home management, active citizenship, and electoral education are discussed.

Through the FDS, parents are also informed of their rights as individuals as well as the obligations that they need to fulfill not only as husband and wife but also as parents and community members.

The FDS consists of three modules, namely: Paglalatag ng Pundasyon ng Programang Pantawid Pamilya (Laying down the Foundation of Pantawid Pamilya), Paghahanda at Pangangalaga ng Pamilyang Pilipino, (Preparing and Caring for the Filipino Family), and Partisipasyon ng Pamilyang Pilipino sa Gawaing Pang Komunidad (Participation of the Filipino Family in the Community).

Sec. Soliman appealed to the beneficiaries to report to DSWD or to DOH anybody who would coerce them to use contraceptives against their will. ###