In 2016, we partnered with the Philippine Society for Responsible Parenthood Inc. with support from UNFPA Philippines to develop a Health Manager’s Guide that introduces Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) for family planning monitoring. The guide was designed to help local health managers gather timely and area-specific data using small samples. This approach responds to a common challenge in local planning: the absence of updated municipal-level data between national surveys.

Where We Piloted

We implemented the guide in Quezon City District II and in the provinces of Sarangani, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat. These pilot sites were selected for their varied contexts and their relevance to national reproductive health priorities.

What We Found

In Quezon City District II, modern contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) was recorded at 37.9 percent, which aligned with earlier estimates. Sarangani posted a modern CPR of 51 percent, while Sultan Kudarat showed 51.6 percent with pills, injectables, and bilateral tubal ligation as the most used methods. In North Cotabato, modern CPR was 34.7 percent, consistent with figures from earlier rounds.

How We Addressed Field Challenges

We encountered several operational difficulties such as the absence of household lists, concerns around field safety, and limited access to remote areas. These were addressed through community coordination, use of spot mapping, and flexible field protocols. These adjustments helped ensure that data collection remained consistent and accurate.

What the Guide Offers

The Health Manager’s Guide contains step-by-step modules covering LQAS principles, field preparation, data collection, and interpretation of results. It equips health staff with the ability to conduct surveys efficiently and use the findings to improve service delivery. The tool enables local governments to monitor contraceptive use, track progress, and direct resources where they are needed most.

What This Means

LQAS provides a cost-effective and timely alternative to large-scale surveys, giving health managers the ability to make informed decisions at the local level. This supports more responsive and client-centered reproductive health programs.

To receive a copy of the guide or explore how we can support your local monitoring efforts, feel free to reach out to our team.