The Department of Health (DOH) reminded Filipinos that a wide range of free family planning methods are available at public hospitals.
Under the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth)'s Konsulta Package, family planning methods can be obtained free of charge at DOH hospitals.
These PhilHealth packages include the intrauterine device (IUD), which costs P3,900; subdermal contraceptive implant, P5,850; vasectomy (unilateral or bilateral), P7,800; and ligation (unilateral or bilateral), P7,800.
Also available for free are condoms, combined oral contraceptive pills (COC), and progestin-only pills (POP).
Aside from DOH-retained hospitals, family planning methods can also be availed for free in barangay health centers and rural health units/centers.
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), there were 2.6 million married women and 5.1 million unmarried women in the Philippines who wanted to use family planning but were not able to do so in 2017.
Guided by the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (RH Law), family planning in the country ensures universal access to reproductive health services.