Welcome Remarks

Welcome Remarks
Executive Director TOMAS M. OSIAS
Commission on Population

During the 2009 Population Congress at the Centennial Hall, Manila Hotel on November 25, 2009

Welcome to the 2009 Population Congress, with the theme, SA AGWAT NG PANGANGANAK, pamilya ay aangat. This is in line with our belief that progress starts in the family, the basic unit of society. When we build strong families, we also build a strong nation.

Three years ago, on December 6, 2006, we launched the responsible parenting movement as our strategy to implement the responsible parenthood program, which is an important component of the accelerated hunger mitigation program (AHMP) of the government.

In those three years, we embarked on a journey that has taken us sometimes to unfamiliar territories. But every journey has its own story to tell. Today, we are gathered to hear about some of these stories. But before these stories, let me reiterate our strategy to bring the RP-NFP program down to the grassroots level.

We call this strategy the responsible parenting movement because the couples will be grouped into a parenting class, which in turn are to be organized into federations; thus starting an interest group that will promote and adhere to the principles of responsible parenthood.

I am proud to say that with a lean but dedicated staff, and in partnership with the different stakeholders, we have so far reached almost 850,000.00 couples in more than 42,000 barangays, nationwide. We hope we have made a difference in the lives of the people we serve.

Today, we will have a glimpse of successful initiatives in the field, carried out with unwavering support from the LGUs and other concerned sectors. We welcome them and thank them for their support and dedication to pursue this program. We are grateful for their commitment to empower couples to be responsible and to plan their families. Truly, they are leader worthy of emulation.

Produced as they implement the program, we invite you to view them and see how they put into action the responsible parenting and natural planning campaign.

once again, welcome to the 2009 NATIONAL POPULATION CONGRESS. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR INVALUABLE TTIIME WITH US FOR THE PROMOTIO OF RESPONSIBLE PARENTING AND NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING. Let us work together to build happy, healthy and empowered families.