VP Sara Duterte to couples on V-Day: Practice family planning, shun poverty

Vice President Sara Duterte (file photo)

MANILA, Philippines —   Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday,  Valentine’s Day, called on newlyweds and soon-to-be parents to practice family planning and responsible parenthood to live a productive and healthy married life.

In her Valentine’s Day message, Duterte pointed out that many families are impoverished due to poor family planning.

“Ang nangyayari, napakarami ng kanilang anak ay hindi na nila kayang pakainin ng maayos, at hindi na nila kayang pag-aralin. Kaya nagbabalik-balik ang kahirapan sa kanilang pamilya,” Duterte said during the “62nd Pa-Wedding ni Tambunting” at the SM Bicutan Activity Center in Parañaque City.

(What happens is they have too many children that they can’t feed properly and send to school. That’s why poverty is prevalent in such families.)

During her stint as Davao City mayor, Duterte said she always reminded their constituents to plan their families to avoid poverty.

“Umiikot po kami sa mga barangay. Paalala lagi sa mga magulang na kailangan pagplanuhan natin ang ating pag-anak dahil mahihirapan ang pamilya at kawawa ang mga anak ninyo kung hindi ninyo sila mapalaki ng maayos — hindi ninyo mabibigay ang gusto nila, at hindi ninyo sila mapagtapos ng pag aaral,” she said.

(We go around villages to remind parents to plan their families and pregnancies because their families will encounter difficulties and the children will suffer if they are not raised properly.)

PagbaBAGo Campaign

The Vice President cited the “PagbaBAGo Campaign” — a program under the Office of the Vice President (OVP) where she visits cities and towns across the country, distributing bags containing school supplies and dental kits to children while bringing the message of responsible parenthood.

According to the OVP, the program has already benefited 3,720 students from eight remote areas in the country — Limasawa Island in Southern Leyte, Jordan in Guimaras, Caramoan in Camarines Sur, Kidapawan City in North Cotabato, Siquijor province, Dasmariñas in Cavite, Bangued in Abra, and Bacolod City in Negros Occidental.

The ‘PagbaBAGo’ campaign was started by Duterte when she was Davao City mayor. The OVP has adopted it for nationwide implementation.

During the Valentine’s Day event, Duterte lauded Parañaque 2nd District Representative Gus Tambunting and former Rep. Joy Tambunting for giving importance to civil weddings and providing free services for couples who do not have the means for a wedding.

 gsg/abc