In 2019, our team at APMARGIN collaborated with the Philippine Society for Responsible Parenthood, the United Nations Population Fund, and the Government of Canada to investigate a persistent concern. We sought to understand why couples in rural farming and fishing communities continued to face difficulties in accessing family planning services despite the presence of national programs.

Collecting Voices from the Ground

The study was conducted in six diverse locations representing both agricultural and coastal settings. These included Aritao, San Vicente, Victorias City, Buluan, Bula, and Bongao. Our team collected data from over 3,400 women aged 15 to 49 whose partners worked in farming or fishing. We combined household surveys, focus group discussions, and consultations with health workers and local government officials to build a fuller picture of their experiences.

Examining Access Through a Broader Lens

The study focused on both demand and supply side factors affecting family planning. Using the SEED Programming Model and Tanahashi’s health service coverage framework, we analyzed how education, poverty, geography, and governance influenced access to reproductive health care. Although data collection focused on women, the research emphasized that family planning is a shared responsibility within couples.

Key Findings from the Field

Knowledge of pills and injectables was common across the sites. However, awareness of other methods like intrauterine devices, implants, and female sterilization was more limited, especially in fishing households where some women had no formal schooling. In Bongao, misinformation and local myths circulated without correction, often due to capacity gaps among health workers and limited follow-up systems.

Health facilities in more remote barangays encountered recurring service delivery challenges. These included lack of trained staff, inconsistent contraceptive supplies, and weak referral mechanisms. Outreach programs also struggled to reach women whose daily activities were shaped by planting, harvesting, fishing, and vending schedules. Married adolescents often encountered additional hesitation from providers when requesting services.

Education and Support as Enablers

The study found strong associations between education and contraceptive use. Women with more years of schooling were more likely to use modern methods. Families who were part of the Conditional Cash Transfer Program also showed higher levels of family planning uptake. These findings suggest that integrating family planning with education and social protection programs can strengthen outcomes.

Moving Toward Practical Solutions

Recommendations from the study included retraining barangay health workers, adjusting outreach schedules to match local routines, improving contraceptive logistics, and linking family planning with rural development programs such as the Special Area for Agricultural Development.

Listening to Communities

This work reaffirmed the importance of listening closely to the people most affected. Community-informed approaches that are inclusive and respectful can make a significant difference in how family planning is accessed and accepted.

To request a copy of the full report or to explore future work in this area, we would be happy to connect. Reach out to us through our official contact channels.