Republic of the Philippines

Department of Health
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

July 11, 2018

DEPARTMENTMEMORANDUM
No. 2018 - (1252:

FOR : SECRETARY OF ARMM, ALL UNDERSECRETARIES.

ASSISTANT SECRETARIES, DIRECTORS OF BUREAUS AND
SERVICES AND REGIONAL OFFICES, CHIEFS OF MEDICAL
CENTERS,CHIEFS OF SPECIALTY/ SPECIALIZED/
RETAINED HOSPITALS, HEADS OF ATTACHED AGENCIES
AND ALL OTHERS CONCERNED

SUBJECT : Observance of the Familv Planning Month on August 2018 with the
theme “Pamilvgg Planado, Panalo #FamilvPanningTrvMo”

The Family Plaming (FP) Program is one of the vital health programs of the
Department of Health (DOH). It emphasizes the health and well-being of future mothers
through proper awareness and use of different family planning methods. Family Plaming
decreases maternal deaths and infant deaths; decreases teenage pregnancies; avoids induced
abortion cases; and reduces poverty alleviation of unwanted big families.

Despite of the many benefits of Family Flaming, many Filipinos are still hesitant to try
different modern FP methods due to misconceptions and myths like its side effects (i.e.
abortion, effects in sexual performance, work productivity, and possible illnesses). To address
this, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released advisory No. 2017-302 last November
2017. It contains the list of 51 contraceptive products which are found non—abortifacient or
does not cause abortion. However, this advisory is not properly disseminated to the public and
continue to believe such misconceptions. It is important that these issues are properly addressed
through intensified campaign and health education of FP‘s safety and effectiveness.

Relative to this, the DOH highlights this year's theme: "Pamilyang Planado, Panalo!
#FamilyPlanningTryMo". It aims to promote the use of modern FP methods to achieve the
desired number of children that couples can afford to raise. These methods help space
pregnancies for at least three years to give mothers ample time to recover from the physical
and psychological stresses of pregnancy.

It is in this light that all are enjoined to spearhead the following suggested activities for
observance of the FP Month:

1. Amouncement of the activities and theme during the flag raising;

2. Conduct of events such as FP Caravan, Family Health Day and the like
3. Posting of streamers in respective offices and hospitals;
4. Social media infographic postings;
5. Posting of Testimonials on social media;

Building 1, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, 1003 Manila 0 Trunk Line 651-7800 local 1 108, l l 1 1, 1112
l 135Direct Line: 71 1-9502; 711-9503 Fax: 743-1829 0 URL: http://www.doh.g0v.ph; e—mail: ftdugue@doh.gov.ph
 6. Conduct of demand generation activities like USAPAN sessions with emphasis on the
Safety and effectiveness of modern FP methods
7. Escalate the FP messages through Philippine Health TV Network and Philippine
Health Tablet.

Attached is the prototype of streamers/tarpaulinsthat can be used during the observance.

Kindly submit your accomplishment report for the FP month celebration to Health
Promotion and Communication Service through email: merd.hpcs@gmail.com or through fax:
(02) 7438438.

For guidance and compliance.

By Authority of the Secretary of Health:

HERMINIGILDO . VA LE, MD, MPA

Under cret ry
Technical Service Cluster
 The Department oF Health
DGH celebrates
August 2018 as
Family Planning Month

“imam

#FI’TI‘VMD 4