The couple's choices.

Integration (1993) PMID 12286380

The Secretary of Health under President Ramos emphasizes prevention rather than curative medicine and plans on starting a family planning program in the Philippines. Family planning was basically neglected during 1986-1992. The goal of the program is to reduce infant and maternal mortality and to curb population growth which is outstripping the country's ability to feed itself (annual population growth - 2.3%, agriculture growth rate - 1%). Family planning includes limiting the number of births, birth spacing, and helping infertile women (10-12% of women). The entire health budget of the Philippines is only 2% of the national budget which is smaller than the 5% recommended by WHO. Thus, the Secretary intends to ask for international assistance, but not until he first develops the program. The guideline he uses for program development is that any program must be simple, practical, economical, effective, and duplicable (SPEED). He wants to incorporate nongovernmental organizations into the program since they are flexible and innovative, emphasize quality, and change quickly. Many women (17% of all women of reproductive age in 4 villages in Cavite Province) have had at least 1 abortion, even though it is illegal. The leading reason for abortions is unwanted or unplanned pregnancy, so family planning will reduce the number of abortions. The Secretary wants people to participate in family planning for instance, to make their own choice about what method to use, be it artificial or natural.