In celebration of World Population Day, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Philippines and its partners held a high-level event in Manila to share with government, and other stakeholders the importance of upholding people’s reproductive rights and harnessing the opportunities brought about by the Philippines’ changing demographics.

Co-organized by UNFPA, the Commission on Population and Development and the Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development, the event was attended by leaders of government agencies, development partners, United Nations agencies, civil society and private sector.

Read our Press Release: Gov’t, UN, partners call for prioritization of reproductive rights, human capital investment

During her welcome remarks, UNFPA Philippines Country Representative Dr. Leila Saiji Joudane highlighted the importance of gender equality and ensuring the rights of all people to unlock the infinite possibilities of the world’s changing population dynamics.

For the keynote message, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said there is a need for a comprehensive response to the country’s population situation. NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon, representing Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, highlighted the regional disparity seen across the country and the importance of ensuring that Filipinos are able to reach their full potential.

In her presentation of the UNFPA State of World Population report, Joudane emphasized that people should not merely ask if there are “too few” or “too many” people in the world. “An important aspect to consider is whether women are able to freely make their own reproductive choices,” she said.

The State of World Population Report was received (left to right) from UNFPA Philippines Country Representative Dr. Leila Joudane by NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon, Department of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire, CPD Undersecretary Lisa Grace S. Bersales, Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Jane C. Bacayo and PLCPD Executive Director Romeo C. Dongeto.

During the panel discussion, veteran journalist Malou Mangahas facilitated discussions on reproductive health and rights, demographic transition and strategies for sustainable development with NEDA Usec. Edillon, DOH Usec. Vergeire, CPD Usec. Lisa Grace S. Bersales, Pasig City Councilor Dr. Corie Raymundo and Likhaan Center for Women's Health Inc. Director Dr. Junice D. Melgar.

Among the partners who gave their messages and reactions to the panel discussion were Senator Risa Hontiveros, economist John Velasco Alikpala of the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator, University of the Philippines Population Institute’s Associate Professor Dr. Elma P. Laguna, USAID’s Deputy Director of the Office of Health Dr. Yolanda Oliveros, and Transform Education’s Community, Operations, and Resource Mobilization Lead Jona Turalde.

In his call-to-action, PLCPD Executive Director Romeo C. Dongeto called for not just the implementation of laws but also the adequate allocation of resources to ensure that people’s rights are met. The group also highlighted the importance of women’s and youth’s voices in shaping the discourse and action on the changing needs of the Filipino population.

CPD Usec. Bersales, who gave the closing remarks, highlighted the need for a life cycle approach and multi-sectoral partnerships to promote resilience amid the country’s changing demographics. 

Among those who attended the event were Royal Norwegian Embassy Deputy Head of Mission  Geir Michalsen, Korea International Cooperation Agency Assistant Country Director Lee Hyung-won, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany First Secretary for Political Affairs Alexander Schmidt, Embassy of the Swiss Confederation Diplomatic Affairs Officer Nina Mason, Cooperation Section Programme Manager Stéphanie Carette of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, Embassy of Sweden Communications Officer Athena Cartagena and World Bank Health Specialist Melissa Guerrero.

Also in attendance from the Philippine government were Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Marlo Iringan, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ireneo Vizmonte, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Paul Vincent L. Uy, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Officer-in-Charge Deputy National Statistician Divina Gracia L. Del Prado, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Director for Beneficiaries Capacity Development Ronald M. Gareza, Department of Education (DepEd) School Health Division Chief Dr. Maria Corazon Dumlao, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Division Chief Rosemarie B. Del Rosario, National Youth Commission (NYC) Division Chief Cristabeth Madrigal, and officers from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Philippine Commission on Women, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The attendees included officials from Bayer, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), United Nations Information Center (UNIC), and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Office of Senator Pia Cayetano, Office of Rep. Jose Manuel Alba, Senate Economic Planning Office, Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department, Population and Family Relations Committee, and the  Youth and Sports Development Committee, Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines, Medical Action Group, Medicins du Monde, Save the Children, Social Watch Philippines, The Asia Foundation, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, and Young Feminists Collective.

Artist Bayang Barrios and her band led the National Anthem and gave a performance during the event. #